Rolex watches worth over $600K stolen in smash-and-grab robbery

[beshannon]

Rolex watches worth over $600K stolen in smash-and-grab robbery at Tourneau in Pentagon City Mall, Arlington, VA

Be careful out there!

http://www.myfoxdc.com/story/21714604/rolex-watches-worth-over-600k-stolen-in-smash-and-grab-robbery#ixzz2O0x07XVL

[SohAIS]

23 watches for $609000. Must be an all gold watch case that they hit. Man what a hit for that store owner.

[VADanno]

I've been to that mall, and I'm sure they got the license plate on security cameras. Catch those guys, and hang them by their wrists! Either that, or have them write "I will not covet my neighbor's Rolex" 600,000 times.

[SWISSAHOLICS]

It took 30 seconds....wow....I guess that's plenty when you have 4 guys....it has to be a case with all gold Rolex watches.

[Trouble15]

Crazy. Hope they catch those clowns. Guess the store owner will be filing out alot of insurance paperwork, unfortunately.

[cop414]

Wow, that sucks, even for Tourneau.

[andromeda160]

they've stolen 3/4 of a million dollars since feb 4th... thats crazy

[mikkibarry]

Hmmm, the AD in Tyson's Galleria has an armed security guard.

[Pix]

Maybe they should use something other than glass for the display case

[SWISSAHOLICS]

Originally Posted by mikkibarry

Hmmm, the AD in Tyson's Galleria has an armed security guard.

I am pretty sure they will get an armed guard now!!

[allen993]

Originally Posted by Pix

Maybe they should use something other than glass for the display case

this...

[AK797]

We had the motorbike raid in the Brent cross mall a little while back, anyone know if the gang were caught?

[yld2rob]

I was just at Tourneau at King of Prussia mall today. They always have 2 police officers outside the store.

[expat1]

Won't be worth $600K on the street... crazy.

[Chris B]

Just pleased to learn that nobody was hurt,
hope they catch those thieves quickly.

[Adam.]

Every Rolex AD will have the 23 serial numbers to those stolen watches.

This is one more reason to have every watch authenticated at Rolex AD's before payment is made. I hope future buyers have an AD declare the watches stolen before a purchase is made so the buyers don't lose money. If a buyer pays and years later sends it for service Rolex will keep the watch and the buyer will lose all money.

I hope the police are on the look out at cash 4 gold stores as well. They may attempt to melt the gold. Or worse, take parts of the watches like bezels and dials to use those parts and make fakes appear real without correct serial numbers.

Other than having an AD authenticate a watch and check the serial number, what can a buyer do to protect themselves from buying a stolen watch?

[Bangel]

Wow. Glad no one was threatened or harmed.

If I understand the report correctly, the 4 robbers just walked into the store. If that's the case, I find it perplexing. In all the ADs I've visited in here in Australia, the doors are locked and you must be "buzzed" in or out by a staff member. Some even have a double set of "airlock" style doors. Surely, such a system would help prevent this type of robbery.

[Yanks213x]

What's next? Maple syrup?

[sea-dweller]

Crazy...

[ledas1]

Now, I can understand the security at the AD on upper 5th ave in NYC.

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[Wolfgang427]

Here we go again.........

[beshannon]

Originally Posted by Bangel

Wow. Glad no one was threatened or harmed.

If I understand the report correctly, the 4 robbers just walked into the store. If that's the case, I find it perplexing. In all the ADs I've visited in here in Australia, the doors are locked and you must be "buzzed" in or out by a staff member. Some even have a double set of "airlock" style doors. Surely, such a system would help prevent this type of robbery.

There are no doors on that store and it is located about 100 feet from the garage entrance

[Sublover2166]

In the last few months there have been 3 Rolex ADs hit by smash and grabs including the AD in Alexandria, VA where I bought my Sub new 16 years ago. Here in the DC area there are many Rolex ADs compared to other areas in the country. Some have armed guards and some do not. These guys apparently know what they are doing and have cased the stores in advance to find out the best time to rob which has been early in the morning when the stores just open and there is a small workforce there and no customers yet. They are definitely scoring big!! Don't know how they will unload all those hot watches though? Perhaps NYC? or some other area far away?

[DJJon]

Originally Posted by yld2rob

I was just at Tourneau at King of Prussia mall today. They always have 2 police officers outside the store.

Yes and a lousy vibe in the store, although I guess it is somewhat necessary to have the uniformed protection.

The Bernie Robbins in St David got hit last year and all they do is buzz you in based on how you present yourself. But what a great atmosphere once you're inside, they are all so nice.

[rolex75216]

The last AD I visited had an armed guard that stood at the door to welcome you to the store and open the door for you as you walked in and out of the store.

[snowpea]

I think it's time for all these jewelry stores to put in bullet proof glass cases, it's safer for the staff and customers. If would stop these smash and grab thugs.

[frank777]

Lets avoid buying rolex watches without warranty cards. If you see new rolex no papers no box might be stolen.

[pollus23]

They seem to know where the cameras are & keep their heads down. They also target specific Rolex Watch cases.

[montpyt]

Unreal

[nick c]

WOW