In a brazen act of criminality, a high-end Mercedes SUV has been targeted by thieves on one of London's most affluent streets, with footage revealing the extensive damage inflicted upon the luxury vehicle.
Incident Details and Police Response
The break-in occurred on Pont Street in the prestigious Belgravia district of west London, an area renowned for its opulent residences where the average property price stands at a staggering £2.4 million. The Metropolitan Police were alerted to the incident at 10.50pm on Saturday, January 17, following a report from a third party that a car's window had been shattered.
A spokesperson for the Met confirmed the investigation, stating: 'Police were alerted at 10.50pm on Saturday, January 17, following a report from a third-party that a car's window had been smashed on Pont Street, Belgravia. No arrests have been made and enquiries are ongoing.'
The force has appealed for information, urging anyone with knowledge of the crime to call 101 and quote reference CAD 7435/17Jan.
Vehicle and Location Specifics
The targeted vehicle was a Mercedes G-Wagon valued at approximately £165,000, a model particularly favoured by celebrities and professional footballers. Visual evidence shows the rear window completely smashed, indicating the force used by the perpetrators.
This incident follows a similar crime just one day earlier, when Tottenham Hotspur defender Destiny Udogie discovered his £150,000 Range Rover had been broken into in the capital. Udogie returned to his vehicle after being an unused substitute in Tottenham's 2-1 home defeat to West Ham United to find the back window shattered, with glass fragments scattered throughout the interior.
Broader Context and Public Reaction
The Mercedes G-Wagon has become something of a status symbol among high-profile individuals. England football stars Bukayo Saka and Marcus Rashford are known admirers of the model, while international celebrities including Kim Kardashian and Arnold Schwarzenegger have previously owned these distinctive vehicles.
Public reaction to the incident has been mixed, with some expressing sympathy for the vehicle owner while others question broader safety narratives. London resident James Halstead commented: 'Have something nice and it'll either get stolen, vandalised or heavily taxed by the government. Prove me wrong.'
Mike Liu offered a contrasting perspective: 'But the police and Sadiq Khan keep telling us London is much safer now.' Meanwhile, Miguel Cunha suggested: 'If you can afford a G-Wagon, you're better off moving to a safe country. London ain't it.'
Parallel Incident and Fan Response
Following the break-in of Destiny Udogie's Range Rover, the player took to social media with a succinct post stating: 'Yeah, goodnight.' Tottenham supporters rallied around their defender, with David Cochrane expressing: 'Ah man, I'm sorry for Destiny.'
Other fans voiced stronger opinions, with Bradley declaring: 'Unacceptable. And has to stop immediately.' Darren Carter added sarcastically: 'Impossible. Sadiq Khan said London is safe, low on crime and the best city in the world.' James Smith reflected: 'Simply has to stop. This is London for you, we've done this to ourselves.' Greg Power injected some humour into the situation, joking: 'I heard the person responsible left two Spurs season tickets in it. Any truth to this?'
These consecutive incidents involving luxury vehicles in the capital have sparked renewed discussions about vehicle security, urban crime rates, and the challenges facing law enforcement in tackling such offences. The Metropolitan Police continue their investigations into both break-ins, with no arrests made in either case at this time.
