A luxury watch thief recently targeted a pair of undercover police officers in what turned out to be a failed robbery attempt. The officers, posing as a wealthy couple, were stationed in Mayfair as part of a proactive operation to catch thieves targeting high-end watches. The incident occurred on October 10th, 2024, and was captured by CCTV footage, which shows the dramatic events leading up to the thief’s arrest.
The two undercover officers, one male and one female, were dressed in expensive clothing and wearing luxury accessories as part of the operation. They were specifically selected to blend in with the affluent surroundings of Mayfair, an area known for attracting thieves who target wealthy individuals. Their goal was to bait criminals into attempting robberies, and the officers’ attire made them ideal targets for would-be thieves.
Yakob Harket, a 21-year-old man, was observed following the officers before he attempted to steal a replica Patek Philippe Rose Gold watch from the female officer’s wrist. The theft occurred around 6:15 PM in Hayes Mews, a narrow street in the upscale area. As Harket attempted to make off with the watch, the male officer, who had been aware of the plan, immediately took action and grabbed the thief to prevent his escape.
However, Harket managed to break free and attempted to flee the scene. As he ran, a second male officer, dressed in a suit, arrived to assist in the pursuit. Unfortunately, this officer slipped while chasing Harket, allowing the thief to momentarily evade capture. Despite this, Harket was apprehended shortly after and arrested.
The CCTV footage also shows plain-clothed officers arresting two other men in connection with the same crime. These individuals were later identified as Mohamed Naas, a 34-year-old from Southwark, and another accomplice involved in the robbery attempt. Naas, along with Harket, was later found guilty of robbery at Southwark Crown Court in April 2025.
The case is part of a broader effort by the Metropolitan Police to tackle the growing issue of watch thefts in London. Between April and September 2022, around 300 luxury watches worth approximately £4 million were stolen across three boroughs. These incidents were largely concentrated in areas like South Kensington, Chelsea, Soho, and Mayfair, where criminals specifically targeted men leaving bars and nightclubs late at night.
In response to the rise in these robberies, the Metropolitan Police have been using undercover officers as part of a wider strategy to catch thieves in the act. The force began using this tactic in early 2024, deploying plain-clothed officers wearing expensive timepieces to lure criminals into attempting thefts. This strategy has already yielded significant results, with numerous arrests and incidents where criminals have been apprehended mid-robbery.
Following the October 2024 incident, Harket was charged and pleaded guilty to robbery. His accomplice, Naas, also faced charges and was convicted of the same crime. Both men are scheduled to be sentenced at Southwark Crown Court in June 2025.
Despite the success of these operations, police are still searching for two other suspects linked to the robbery attempt: Yanis Amri, 37, and Adel Mohamdi, 35, both of whom failed to appear in court in connection with the case. The Metropolitan Police have made it clear that they are determined to reduce the number of robberies in the capital and will continue to use proactive policing methods to target hotspots where these crimes are most prevalent.
