Dramatic footage shows an American events company owner being ambushed for his luxury watch in Mayfair.
J. Riccardo Benavides is pounced upon by two of three robbers as he emerges from a black London taxi outside Cavalry & Guards Club on Piccadilly.
Initially, the trio can be seen loitering and strolling down the street before Mr Benavides heads to the entrance just after 3.30am on Saturday, October 18.
One suspect turns around and stands poised by the hotel.
He approaches the businessman in what first appears to be a friendly manner but a scuffle quickly erupts, with the two others piling in to snatch his timepiece.
It comes as the Standard revealed London’s robbery hotspots in a new interactive map.
Latest figures published by the Office for National Statistics show the West End saw around 10 per day, many carried out by violent phone and luxury watch rippers on mopeds.
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Mr Benavides, founder and creative director of Ideas Event in San Francisco, wrote on Instagram: “A little heads-up for my fellow travellers - I was mugged last week in Mayfair, London.
“Yes, they got my watch… but I’m fine (and did fight them off, though I could’ve sworn there were ten of them!
“They scouted me as I was getting out of the cab and heading into the hotel…thank goodness the hotel had cameras!
“London police say these watch thefts are happening all the time now in Mayfair. So please, be extra cautious …especially as we head into the busy holiday season.”
Mr Benavides, who filmed his own reaction to the CCTV footage, added: “They’re looking at me. They sort of come back. There’s that one with the hat - he stages himself.
“And that’s where I think I hurt my back.
“He’s pushing my back. Now he’s got my watch and he’s running.”
The Metropolitan Police was approached for comment.
