A California entrepreneur faced a brutal assault and theft of his $600,000 Richard Mille quartz sports watch outside his office in Orange County earlier this week.
The harrowing incident, captured by security cameras, depicts three masked assailants blocking the man’s immaculate white Bentley. They forcefully pulled him to the ground and assaulted him before making off with the valuable watch.
The theft unfolded on Wednesday as the businessman, who operates a financial services firm, was departing from work.
Speaking to KTLA, the victim, who preferred to remain anonymous on camera, described how the attackers used a light-colored SUV to trap his car. They then dragged him out and struck him with a gun.
He noted that two of the three attackers were armed.
Recounting the terrifying ordeal, he said, “I was in the car, trying to hold the door with both hands and figure out the lock button. The guy in a white hoodie was on my face yelling, ‘Shoot him! Shoot him!’”
A California businessman was violently ambushed and robbed of his $600,000 Richard Mille quartz sports watch outside his Orange County office earlier this week
The attack, captured on surveillance cameras, shows three masked men blocking the victim’s pristine white Bentley and dragging him to the ground
The victim said one suspect repeatedly tried to cock his gun but appeared to jam during the struggle – a malfunction he believes saved his life.
‘I don’t know why I’m alive right now,’ he said.
Police believe the thieves may have staked out the businessman’s office for up to four hours before the attack.
The suspects escaped after tearing off the victim’s watch, a Richard Mille valued at nearly $600,000.
The victim, who admits to sharing images of his luxury possessions online, now believes his social media activity may have made him a target.
‘I don’t have a public page,’ he said of his online presence. ‘It’s private but obviously, that was a mistake, posting anything.’
Irvine Police Department spokesperson Kyle Oldoerp has since warned that even private accounts can attract unwanted attention.
The robbery occurred on Wednesday as the businessman, who owns a financial services company, was leaving work
The victim said one suspect repeatedly tried to cock his gun but appeared to jam during the struggle – a malfunction he believes saved his life
The suspects escaped after tearing off the victim’s watch, a Richard Mille valued at nearly $600,000
Irvine Police Department spokesperson Kyle Oldoerp (pictured) has since warned that social media posts even on private accounts can attract unwanted attention
‘Even if your account is private, you’re still having other people view your social media. So, if you’re showing expensive items, it could draw the attention of a thief who wants to take that item,’ he said.
During the altercation, one suspect’s mask appears to have come off, and investigators are hoping the footage will help identify him.
The victim is offering a $50,000 reward for information leading to the arrest of his attackers.
Anyone with information is urged to contact the Irvine Police Department.
