A dramatic chase unfolded in Mayfair after an illegal migrant stole a £65,000 Patek Philippe watch from Tim Hortons boss Axel Schwan. The incident occurred on New Bond Street on June 30 last year, as Mr Schwan was walking with his wife.
Ahmed Djidi, 26, of Carlisle Avenue, Acton, was part of a three-man gang that targeted the businessman. Although Djidi did not snatch the watch himself, he acted as a lookout, scanning for potential victims with valuable timepieces. The watch was yanked from Mr Schwan's wrist with force, causing considerable distress to him and his wife.
On October 8, Djidi was sentenced to 22 months in prison for robbery at Southwark Crown Court. He also pleaded guilty to possessing cannabis, for which he was fined £100. Judge Christopher Hehir noted that Djidi was in the country illegally and had a previous conviction for a distraction theft at a London railway station in 2022.
Detective Sergeant Daniel Northcott of the Metropolitan Police said the investigation removed a notorious offender from London's streets. He highlighted that personal robbery in London has decreased by 12.8% compared to the same period last year, thanks to increased patrols in robbery hotspots.
