Valley, Westside Police Report Rash of Rolex Robberies

In a rash of thefts similar to those that plagued the Westside several years ago, about two dozen Rolex watches have been stolen--often at gunpoint--in the San Fernando Valley and on the Westside this fall, apparently after bandits spotted the expensive watches on motorists’ wrists, police said Thursday.

Detectives said more than half the robberies, which began in September, were committed in the Valley, where most victims apparently were chosen because they drove expensive cars. No victims have been injured and no suspect has been identified.

“Rolexes are really easy to spot when you’re driving down the street because they’re on your left wrist, so when you’re driving, your watch is exposed,” said Detective Roland L’Heureux of the Los Angeles Police Department’s West Valley division.

Detective Robert Johansen said it appears that the thief or thieves seek out mostly middle-aged men and women in luxury cars during the day, maneuvering in a car close enough to determine whether they are wearing a Rolex. The robber then follows them to their next stop, confronts them at gunpoint and demands the watches, Johansen said.

In all but one of the eight Rolex thefts committed in the West Valley over the last couple of months, the victims apparently drew the robber’s attention by driving along Ventura Boulevard in a Mercedes-Benz, police say.

In one robbery, a thief confronted a couple, both wearing Rolexes, who had just parked a Mercedes on Ventura in Encino. The robber took both Rolexes and an expensive ring the woman was wearing, Johansen said.

“He got away with over $100,000” in jewelry, Johansen said.

The Westside robberies--10 this year--have been similar in execution, police say.