THIS is the moment a gang of brazen “Rolex Rippers” were snared while trying to mug undercover cops in a botched robbery.
Yakob Harket, 21, was filmed walking behind the two officers who were posing as a wealthy couple as they walked through Mayfair.
Central NewsCCTV showed Yakob Harket approaching the undercover police from behind[/caption]
Central NewsA scuffle broke out as he tried to grab a watch from one of them[/caption]
Central NewsHe was later taken down by a group of plain clothed officers[/caption]
CCTV showed him pouncing on the pair from behind before reaching out to snatch an exposed watch from the female cop’s wrist.
Both officers then chased Harket down with two other cops before tackling him to the ground.
More officers then rushed in on bikes as they discovered another three suspected accomplices lurking nearby.
Harket and another man, Mohamed Naas, 34, were arrested shortly afterwards.
The pair have now been jailed for a total of five years after they were convicted of robbery.
Mr Recorder Jacques Algazy KC, told Harket and Naas, assisted in the dock by an Arabic interpreter: “This was highly organised crime involving stealing to order.
“This was motivated by greed, not need.”
Harket was jailed for two years after the judge took into account his guilty plea while Naas was jailed for three years.
They were accused of being a part of a “Rolex ripper” gang who target wealthy people and steal their jewellery.
Officers launched the sting operation after carrying out similar undercover missions across London.
The cops posed as a rich couple with posh clothes and expensive replica jewellery to lure the gang.
The male officer was wearing a £40,000 Rolex Sky Dealer watch, while the female cop had a replica Patek Philippe Rose Gold watch.
Jurors were shown several clips of the officers walking from Berkeley Square to Hays Mews on the evening of October 10 last year.
Harket managed to rip the replica Patek Philippe, which would be worth £70,000, from the female officer’s watch but dropped it in the chase.
Adel Mohamdi, 31, and Yanis Amri, 37, had also followed the couple but managed to flee – with a warrant still out for their arrest.
A spokesperson for the Metropolitan Police said: “Tackling violent crime is one of the Met’s priorities and we are determined to reduce the number of robberies.
“Uniform and plain clothes officers proactively patrol robbery hotspots to identify offences taking place, but more importantly to help prevent and deter offenders from committing robberies in the first place.”
Central NewsHarket momentarily evaded the cops but he was chased away and caught minutes later[/caption]
Central NewsHe has now been jailed for his role in the gang[/caption]
Central NewsMohamed Naas was also locked up[/caption] Published: [#item_custom_pubDate]
