Robbed in a FTF sale of Seadweller SD4K in Los Angeles

[Atone]

I went this afternoon to meet a potential buyer at a bank in Marina Del Rey Ca and the buyer while sitting next to me in the bank grabbed just the watch and ran from the bank. I ran after him but was in motorcycle boots and slipped in a sharp turn. Police were called and a case opened. They have his images on bank cameras and a license plate as I followed him to a car where his friend was waiting. I doubt I’ll ever see the watch again but need some suggestions . . .


I don’t want to get into what should have or could have been but rather learn how to put the word out about the stolen serial number. Any help is greatly appreciated. The warranty card with serial is pictured. I still have box and cards, only the watch was taken. This was not a TRF member.

[MattyL147]

Wow. Sorry to hear! I would’ve thought that would’ve been a safe meeting spot; clearly not. Hopefully with the pictures and license plate they’ll get him!

[Geckobros]

No "should of could of" here, you were in a bank, wow. Sorry this happened to you and hopefully they will catch the guy.

[Chewbacca]

Crap!

Type out the serial number in full so SEO can pick it up. Use words like stolen, model number, the bank name, time date city etc... join other forums and start a thread on it simply saying its an FYI so they don't buy stolen goods and post on local Caigs and Kijiji. Report to rolex too.

[Grissom]

Very sorry to hear this. File a police report and with that in hand drive over to the Rolex Service Center in Beverly Hills and ask them how to have the serial number input into their stolen data base. As this type of crime usually ends with the watch shipped out of the country usually that same day, ask Rolex how to see that the serial number is input throughout “their” world so that should it ever show up for service at any Rolex Service Center it would be held and ultimately returned. You might also see what, if any, coverage you might have through your homeowners insurance policy. Good luck!

PS......If I were you, I might also inquire from Interpol if there was any way to get that into foreign law enforcement data bases, as well.


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[daveswordfish]

OMG..so sorry to hear this. Posting on TRF and WUS is a great start. Maybe reach out to Chrono24 and WatchRecon as well. The more people that are aware the better.


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[Cloudchaser]

Wow. So sorry to hear that this happened to you. As someone who does F2F deals in L.A. on the regular (and almost always at banks), this is downright frightening. Damn. Wild west type stuff..

I wish I had a good recommendation for you. Hope you're not too sore from the fall!

Good luck!

Originally Posted by Atone

I went this afternoon to meet a potential buyer at a bank in Marina Del Rey Ca and the buyer while sitting next to me in the bank grabbed just the watch and ran from the bank. I ran after him but was in motorcycle boots and slipped in a sharp turn. Police were called and a case opened. They have his images on bank cameras and a license plate as I followed him to a car where his friend was waiting. I doubt I’ll ever see the watch again but need some suggestions . . .


I don’t want to get into what should have or could have been but rather learn how to put the word out about the stolen serial number. Any help is greatly appreciated. The warranty card with serial is pictured. I still have box and cards, only the watch was taken. This was not a TRF member.

[TheWatchmen]

https://www.rolexforums.com/showthread.php?t=620506

If its registered to you, and Rolex knows that - it will be returned if someone tries to get it serviced by Rolex...other than the police nabbing this POS, and him still having the watch, I'm sorry brother but your chances of getting it back are slim.

Fingers crossed for you, sometimes I really hate people.

[Duey]

Sorry that sucks.
One more reason not to do a FTF.

On the last watch I had up everybody wanted to do a FTF but when I told them that they would have to bring cash with them to the bank, no transfer, and that we would verify the cash before they could see the watch. I said it had to be safe for both parties. All of the potential buyers who wanted the FTF only seemed to vanish ...

[bonovox]

Very sorry to hear about this. Hope a positive outcome follows.

[peterpl]

Ballsy yet very very stupid of the robber. You were in a bank and he robbed you inside there? What a effin idiot.

They will get him for sure.

[JD305]

Have to do
FTF at police station


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[MSchu]

Just horrible... grand theft is a hell of a thing.

[LuminousMaximus]

This guy is just begging to be locked up forever...

[AS1]

Wow... so sorry to hear.

[PepsiBezel]

I’d be hopeful that with the leads the police can track down the criminal.

You could also look at hiring a private detective and build a civil suit.

I think this capacity is interesting for a known license plate:

https://www.vice.com/en_us/article/n...te-readers-drn

[42itus]

That’s horrible. I’m glad you weren’t harmed. I’m sorry I can’t give you advice. Blast that serial number on the internet so that it shows up as stolen.


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[schoolboy]

Originally Posted by MattyL147

Wow. Sorry to hear! I would’ve thought that would’ve been a safe meeting spot; clearly not. Hopefully with the pictures and license plate they’ll get him!

Agree with everything you wrote

[037]

Crazy. Also glad you weren't hurt. If the watch was insured then call your insurance company immediately.

[Atone]

Thx for the kind words guys. To say it was a rattling experience is an understatement. I will follow your advice on blasting the serial number online. I am not hopeful to actually recover the watch but should do what I can in the event it ever surfaces.

[jaisonline]

Very sorry to hear.

I hope the thief & driver get what they deserve and maybe you’ll get lucky with the watch bring returned.

[hectorlopez]

Also post his license plate number. There may be some people on here that will be willing to help you out.

[kieselguhr]

Ouch. All that criminal bravado for ~$13,000. First and foremost, I am glad you are okay and the crim didn’t resort to violence to get the watch. It really sucks you had to go through this. At the very least, I hope the watch is insured.

Did you happen to get a picture of his ID with your phone before or during the transaction?

[Patton250]

Unbelievable. There seems to be a lot of scams going on lately. Makes me nervous buying anywhere other than an AD now.

I’m really sorry OP. I would have never seen that coming.

[Billfish]

Shame to hear and hope buyer is caught- unbelievable the things people will do these days- and in a highly secured establishment like a Bank.......Jeezus

[4 Aussies]

Originally Posted by JD305

Have to do
FTF at police station


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Sorry to hear. I agree!!

[PanosI]

Jesus Christ !

I am really sorry for what happened to you OP.

When they ask me where is a safe place to sell your watch, the first place that I advise is inside a bank.
Because here in Greece even the smallest bank branch has double doors with delayed mechanism. There is no way for someone to take the watch in his hands and to begin to run !!!!!

I am sure that police will find him and hopefully you’ll get your watch back.


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[Kliminator]

Wow .... hoping that this individual is caught and prosecuted at the very minimum. Hope you can get the watch back dude! Best of luck.

[mountainjogger]

Originally Posted by Patton250

Unbelievable. There seems to be a lot of scams going on lately. Makes me nervous buying anywhere other than an AD now.

I’m really sorry OP. I would have never seen that coming.

x2!

[SlideRacker]

Some banks here in the US have double-delayed doors.

Also, what about bringing an armed local Sheriff’s deputy with you? And have him guard the entrance. No way anyone in their right mind would attempt a theft under those conditions. At the very least mention that when arranging the meet. You’ll filter out all the would-be thieves real quick.