An Algerian gang that targeted the Abu Dhabi royal family outside St Pancras station, stealing £600,000 worth of jewellery, has been jailed. The theft occurred in June 2025 as the victims disembarked the Eurostar and were met by a waiting chauffeur.
How the Theft Unfolded
CCTV footage shows an unidentified man distracting the driver while gang members Medhi Fatih, 41, and Abdel Aitkebir, 35, snatched cases from the boot and ran off. The stolen goods included gold jewellery, photos of which were later found on Fatih’s phone. Aitkebir admitted selling the case three days later.
Judge's Remarks on Planning
Judge Benedict Kelleher stated: 'It’s clear from the CCTV that you had noticed the vehicle and you got yourselves in position to steal when the family arrived. As they walked through the station it would have been obvious to you they were wealthy. You were clearly targeting them for that reason. This offence clearly involved some planning which included the coordination of seven men and the identification of passengers coming from an international train who had a waiting chauffeur.'
Broader Theft Network Uncovered
On the same day, a third gang member, Faysal Benoumechiara, 27, was caught stealing a man’s bag near the station. Police confiscated his phone and discovered a WhatsApp chat revealing a network of thieves. One message read: 'Peace be upon you my brothers. I want to tell you something. I did not come here to take tops or I don’t know what. I come here to get the watches and get the money. This country is where the money is. Get yourselves ready my brothers.' Another message on 9 October read: 'Hello my dear. How are you, Faysal? We will meet later in the afternoon in the field. You know what I mean my dear.'
Benoumechiara's Theft Spree
Benoumechiara went on an £80,000 theft spree between December 2024 and November 2025, stealing bags from luggage racks and passengers in the station car park. He entered the UK via Spain but illegally overstayed his visa. His first theft was on 7 December 2024. The next day, he and another man grabbed two bags and three shopping bags belonging to Caroline Naylor from an overhead luggage rack on a train from King’s Cross to Peterborough, including a Louis Vuitton bag valued at £60,835. In January 2025, he was spared prison for the December theft, but continued stealing until his arrest in November 2025.
On 26 May 2025, travelling from Morpeth to King’s Cross, he stole a luggage bag and crocodile skin evening bag worth £1,600. On 16 August 2025, he and another man stole luggage from a car boot in St Pancras car park, including medicine and cash worth £6,292. On 21 August 2025, he returned to the same car park and stole £15,000 worth of luggage from a man waiting for a taxi. He was finally arrested on 4 November 2025, with other gang members outside King’s Cross, after police saw them rifling through a bag.
Sentences Handed Down
Judge Kelleher jailed Benoumechiara for two years and three months, stating: 'You were operating with others as a professional luggage thief and you were deliberately targeting people identified as having high value goods in their bags.' Fatih, who entered the UK illegally in July 2025, and Aitkebir, who overstayed a visa from April 2023, were arrested on the same day. They pleaded guilty to theft after CCTV showed them lurking around St Pancras on 16 June 2025. Fatih was jailed for two years and four months, while Aitkebir received two years and six months for submitting a false basis of plea.
