An Algerian robber who took a £65,000 watch from a tourist in Notting Hill was snared after dropping AirPods containing his DNA at the scene

An Algerian robber who stole a Vietnamese tourist’s £65,000 watch in London was caught after dropping his headphones at the scene.

Allai Ismail, 30, picked up Viet Nguyen’s Patek Philippe watch on August 7, 2024 in Notting Hill, west London.

He was arrested after police took DNA from his AirPods, which he dropped at the scene, and from Mr. Nguyen’s wrist.

Ismail, from Cricklewood, north London, admitted the theft and was jailed for three years at Southwark Crown Court.

Mr Nguyen and his wife were near Holland Park during a visit to Notting Hill in 2024 when Ismail grabbed the watch from his wrist and ran towards Ladbroke Square.

The tourist chased the thief and grabbed him, before Ismail threw the watch on the ground in front of him and his accomplice picked it up and ran away.

During that struggle, Ismail dropped his glasses, necklace and earphones.

Ismail broke away and Mr Nguyen continued to chase the pair before falling and suffering abrasions to his shoulder, right wrist, cheeks, upper lip and left knee.

Allai Ismail was jailed for three years after admitting stealing a Vietnamese tourist’s £65,000 watch in London.

He lost sight of the duo and they escaped, but Ismail was tracked using DNA from Mr Nguyen’s wrist and the dropped earphones, although the stolen watch has not been found.

Carol Summers, prosecuting, said: ‘On August 7, 2024, Mr Nguyen and his wife were visiting Britain and at 5pm they were walking through Holland Park.

“As they turned into Ladbroke Walk, we say the defendant is the one who took the watch on Mr Nguyen’s left wrist, even though there were two men involved. We say the defendant took over the lead role from the two of them.

“Mr. Nguyen fought and struggled with the defendant to get his watch back. He threw the watch in front of him, where the second man picked up the watch and ran towards Ladbroke Square.

‘It was said the watch was bought by the victim for £65,000. It has not been found.

“He tried to chase Mr Ismail but he tripped and fell as a result. He lost sight of him.’

Sentencing Ismail, Judge Christopher Hehir said: “You and another person who was never brought to justice clearly saw Mr. Nguyen on the street wearing a nice wristwatch.

“To his credit, Mr. Nguyen fought and grabbed you, causing you to throw the watch on the ground a little way in front of you. Your accomplice could pick it up and run away with it. You quickly followed.

“Mr.

“Luckily you dropped your glasses, necklace, and AirPods during the initial struggle. DNA samples from the AirPods and from Mr. Nguyen’s wrist identified you as one of the robbers.

“From all the material before me, I am quite certain that this would have been a painful ordeal for him.”

The Algerian has previously been convicted of shoplifting and telephone theft.