Algerian Rolex Ripper Ambushes Businessman in London Street Robbery
CCTV footage obtained by the Daily Mail has captured the shocking moment an Algerian thief ambushed a businessman on a London street, snatching his £30,000 Patek Philippe watch in a brazen daylight robbery. The incident occurred on the corner of Porchester Place near Hyde Park, a high-end area known for its multi-million-pound townhouses.
The Swift and Calculated Attack
The video shows Zakaria Snouci, 26, approaching his victim, who was dressed in a gilet and smart shirt, after conversing with an accomplice. In less than two seconds, Snouci rushed towards the man, grabbed his left arm, and tore the luxury timepiece from his wrist. The stunned victim spun around to see the thief fleeing across the street, his face clearly visible beneath his hood, which later aided police in identification.
This robbery, carried out on April 19 last year, is part of a broader trend of watch thefts plaguing London. Between January 2022 and July 2025, over 5,180 watches valued at more than £3,000 were snatched in the capital. Phones are also a common target, with 71,391 stolen last year alone.
Organised Criminal Networks and International Links
Thefts of luxury items are often executed by organised criminal groups, with Algerian nationals frequently appearing among suspects in court cases. Data compiled by the Metropolitan Police and Apple suggests that 28% of phones stolen in Britain end up in Algeria, where they are sold in black market bazaars.
Snouci appeared at Southwark Crown Court on Wednesday, dressed in a black jumper and assisted by an Arabic interpreter, to admit two counts of theft. Judge Mark Weekes ordered a pre-sentence report to assess dangerousness, with sentencing scheduled for April 23. Snouci has been remanded into custody.
Targeting the Affluent in London's Wealthy Enclaves
Robbers typically target wealthy Londoners and visitors in upscale areas like Porchester Place. Dr Simon Harding of the National Centre for Gang Research explained that sophisticated gangs assess victims within seconds, focusing on those who appear affluent, nonchalant, and potentially naive. "They will know whether they are likely to fight back and whether they will pursue," he said. "The people doing this will not look like your average street person; they'll be smart."
Related Cases and Broader Impact
In a similar case, a trio of illegal migrants from Algeria—Adam Zawi, Oussama Fadage, and Aouidj Abderaouf—were jailed for between 36 weeks and a year after stealing rucksacks containing £4,000 worth of electronics. A judge described them as committed criminals who abused Britain's kindness.
The emotional toll on victims is significant. BBC Breakfast presenter Ben Thompson, 45, stated he no longer feels safe in London after his £7,000 Rolex was ripped from his wrist by a gang of muggers in Mayfair last March. In a victim impact statement, he said, "After this attack my behaviour has changed – I am nervous and jumpy when I hear a jogger or cyclist approaching behind me." Two of his attackers, Danis Tom-Deter, 36, and Hocine Boulanouar, 26, were identified by CCTV and jailed.
These incidents underscore a growing crisis of luxury watch robberies in London, with only a fraction of stolen items recovered, leaving residents and visitors increasingly vulnerable in the city's most prestigious neighbourhoods.
