Gang slash Mayfair tourist to get £115k watch off his wrist
A TOURIST has recounted how he was slashed in the elbow by a gang so they could rip a £115,000 watch from his wrist in a daylight robbery in Mayfair.
Bo Khan, 55, said he was attacked with “military precision” in Berkeley Square, central London, with the thieves attempting to paralyse his arms before making off with the Breguet Tourbillon timepiece. Scotland Yard yesterday released images of three men they want to speak to following the robbery in June last year.
Mr Khan, a property developer from Manchester, was attacked as he crossed the road with his wife Karen, 56, on the final day of their visit to the capital. The couple had returned from Tenerife to celebrate their son’s 18th birthday when they decided to spend four nights in a hotel in Mayfair.
Mr Khan is seen staggering on CCTV at about 3.30pm after the thieves ran off in the direction of Park Lane. His wife initially gave chase before turning back to help Mr Khan, whose left arm had a deep wound.
One of the robbers dropped his own watch during the melée, which was later handed to investigators.
After the incident, Mr Khan said police had told him organised gangs routinely roam Mayfair to search for wealthy targets. He claims the thieves are using sharp knives to cut their victims’ tendons so they are unable to react when their watches are taken.
Describing the incident, he told Mailonline: “It was done with military precision. They ran from behind, one grabbed my arm, stabbed me in the elbow and dragged me to the ground by the wrist, and another grabbed my watch. My wife ran after them, but she rushed back to check on me. They slashed my arm to cut tendons and paralyse me.”
The Metropolitan Police described the suspects as all being in their 30s, of medium build and Mediterranean appearance.
Det Con Eve Kelly said: “This violent robbery was committed in broad daylight and it appears that the victim was specifically targeted for his watch.”