Two Rolex robbers who ambushed victims on a moped brandishing a machete in West End have been jailed,
Nizar Msaad, 22, and Shaquille Allen, 26, attempted to steal five luxury watches in a 90-minute crime spree.
They escaped with two Rolexes worth tens of thousands of pounds during the rampage on 1 October 2022, Wood Green Crown Court had heard.
Both were jailed for 40 months on Friday after detectives from Operation Venice - which targets watch thieves - hunted them down using CCTV clues.
A member of staff from a pub foiled the first attempted robbery as the robbers tried to snatch a watch in South Audley Street at just after 8pm.
They then targeted four other people grabbing two Rolexes as they rode around the West End looking for their next victim.
During the terrifying robberies one victim suffered a hand injury and the jury was told how the thugs kicked and punched their victims while threatening them with a machete.
However, police tracked down footage which showed the pair without their helmets protecting their identity while DNA evidence was also recovered.
Detective Constable Mike Bagnall from Operation Venice, said: “These were violent attacks on innocent people in the middle of the street in central London.
“It was just fortunate that no one was seriously injured during these reckless offences.
"The investigation was thorough and detailed and we were able to trace the Msaad and Allen and build an overwhelming case against them. These were violent robberies and I am glad our determination to find those responsible enabled us to take both these men off the streets.”
