'Rolex ripper' who swiped four timepieces worth total of £65,000 would approach victims in the street and chat to them about South American football, court hears

A 'Rolex ripper' who swiped four designer watches totalling £65,000 would approach victims and chat to them about South American football, a court has heard.

Mohamed Amoyos, 33, stole the valuable timepieces between October 2023 and December 2023.

He was due to stand trial at Southwark Crown Court but admitted four counts of robbery at the 11th hour.

Margia Mostafa, prosecutor, said Amoyos' modus operandi was to approach people in the street and say 'I'll show you the tackle from the Brazil v Argentina match'. He would then grab their watch as soon as their guard were down.

Amoyos swiped a £7,000 Rolex from Mahesh Amin in Kensington, southwest London, on October 4. He then snatched a £40,000 Audemars Piguet from Pablo Pastor in Westminster on November 18.

Andreas Menidiatis, 71, became Amoyos' third victim six days later after he was targeted for his £15,000 Rolex Submariner, which was wrenched from his wrist in Kensington.

'He remembers the male coming up to him and starting a conversation about Brazilian football,' said Ms Mostafa.

'Mr Menidiatis says that the person says I will show you the tackle used in the latest Brazil v Argentina football match.

'His wrist watch was taken off him. The complainant was 71, he recollects the assailant was 25-30. He wore a black tracksuit, black cap and was 6ft tall.'

Finally, Amoyos robbed Ali Akram of his limited edition Muhammad Ali Tag Heuer watch, worth £2,500, in central London on December 1, the court heard.

Amoyos, of Brentford, west London, admitted four counts of robbery.

He was remanded in custody ahead of sentence on August 8.