Rolex-Wearing Motorists Being Robbed In L.A.

LOS ANGELES - In a rash of thefts similar to those that plagued West Los Angeles several years ago, about two dozen Rolex watches have been stolen - often at gunpoint - in West Los Angeles and the San Fernando Valley this fall, apparently after bandits saw the expensive watches on motorists' wrists, police said this past week.

Robbery detectives say that more than half the robberies, which began in September, were committed in the San Fernando Valley, where most victims were apparently chosen as they drove expensive cars.

No victims have been injured, and so far no suspected robber 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 Los Angeles Police Detective Roland L'Heureux.

Police Detective Robert Johansen said it appears the thief seeks out potential victims, often middle-aged men and women driving luxury cars during daytime hours, and maneuvers his auto to a point close enough to determine whether they are wearing a Rolex.

The robber then follows his victims, sometimes for miles, to their next stop, typically a home, business or restaurant.

When the watch owner gets out of the car, the robber - usually armed with a semi-automatic pistol - runs up and demands the Rolex, Johansen said.

The West Los Angeles robberies - 10 this year - have been similar in execution, police say.

The robberies recall a string of similar heists in the late 1980s and early 1990s which struck fear in the hearts of Rolex wearers and climaxed with the slaying of one man outside his West Los Angeles home during a fight with a gunman.

Not all of the recent robberies have run like clockwork, police say.

"We had a guy driving a Rolls Royce who they thought was wearing a Rolex, but it ended up being a Timex," said Los Angeles Police Detective Mel Arnold, recounting a robbery attempt two weeks ago.

Jewelry-store owner Stephen Polacheck said watches have been stolen from three of his customers in the past few months and that all of them chose to replace them with new Rolexes.

"It's a magical feeling of wearing that watch," said Polacheck.