Fears Mount as Notorious Female Rolex Gang Suspected of New Attack
Concerns are escalating that a mysterious all-female criminal network, infamous for stealing Rolex watches from elderly men, may have returned to operation in a brand new location. A man in his seventies was walking along Richmond Road in Aylesbury, Buckinghamshire, last Monday when he was approached by a woman offering cleaning and gardening services.
Disturbing Tactics in Aylesbury Incident
According to Thames Valley Police, the woman then offered sexual services and touched the victim inappropriately over his clothing before seizing his Rolex watch and fleeing the scene. This crime bears striking similarities to a series of thefts carried out across southern England by an all-female gang in 2021, with only one member ever apprehended by authorities.
Dubbed The Rolex Rippers, the gang was linked to at least fifteen crimes and typically operated in pairs. They employed distraction techniques such as posing as charity workers or pretending to conduct surveys to engage their victims. Subsequently, they would attempt to hug or cuddle the men while removing valuable timepieces from their wrists.
Previous Gang Activity and Limited Arrests
Romanian national Stefania Tinica was the sole member of the group, described by police as consisting of eastern European women, ever captured. She was arrested at Luton Airport while attempting to flee the country and sentenced to forty months in prison for her involvement in a successful theft in Poole, Dorset, in May 2021 and a failed robbery four months earlier in Cheshire.
The gang is believed to have executed Rolex raids in Dorset, Hampshire, West Sussex, Surrey, and Gloucestershire, in addition to the Cheshire incident. Most cases targeted older men, making the recent Aylesbury event a potential new development if definitively linked to the gang.
Detailed Description of Latest Suspect
The victim, a man in his seventies, was walking on Richmond Road in Aylesbury shortly after 12:45 PM when approached by a woman. She was described as being in her twenties or thirties with long dark hair and a possibly Spanish accent. The suspect wore a black baseball cap and light-colored clothing, standing approximately five feet tall.
Thames Valley Police has launched an urgent manhunt to locate her. The thief initially offered gardening services before switching to sexual offers. It is alleged she then sexually assaulted the man, possibly kissing him, and stole his watch.
Historical Cases Highlighting Similar Methods
This tactic mirrors previous thefts, including that of a Rolex belonging to pensioner Derek Freestone in Kent in July 2021. Two women approached him as he sat in his car, asking him to sign a petition for a local school for deaf children. After he agreed, one threw her arms around him and tried to kiss him while the other shook his hand. Mr. Freestone pushed them away and closed his car door, but his watch was already missing.
A second incident barely a week later saw Alan Bruce robbed of his timepiece by two women in their twenties or thirties. They also approached with a clipboard, claiming to support a centre for deaf people, before one complimented his aftershave and asked for a cuddle. Although he withdrew, they managed to snatch his £14,000 Yacht-Master Rolex watch from his wrist.
Potential Resurgence After Hiatus
If the latest theft is linked to the all-female gang—police have not publicly confirmed this yet—it would not be the first time they have resurfaced after a break. In 2022, the criminals were suspected in another attempted robbery in Christchurch, Dorset, emerging after a nine-month hiatus. Two women approached a man outside a veterinary centre on July 29, asking him to fill out a survey. One shook his hand while the other attempted to hug him, but the intended victim fended them off and reported the incident to police.
At the time, police noted the crime used a similar method to incidents we have seen in the past.
Police Appeal for Information
Detective Constable Mandy Cutler, investigating officer for the Aylesbury theft, stated: This incident has occurred in the early afternoon, and I am appealing to anybody who witnessed this to please get in touch with Thames Valley Police. You can do so by reporting online or by calling us on 101, quoting reference 43260169849.
We also have a dedicated digital portal available where witnesses can upload any relevant digital evidence, such as dash-cam or doorbell and CCTV images or footage. If you don't wish to speak directly with the police, you can also call the independent charity Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.
