Watch dealer dies just one day after two robbers put him in chokehold during theft
A watch dealer has sadly died just one day after he was attacked by two thugs who raided the swanky London jewellers.
The Metropolitan Police have launched an urgent search for the two men following the shocking incident in Richmond on Saturday afternoon (25 May) at around 2.50pm.
The pair - who were both unarmed - entered the store on Kew Road in West London and assaulted a member of staff.
One of the robbers allegedly restrained the watch dealer in a chokehold, while his accomplice gathered items together.
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Chilling CCTV footage which has emerged shows the victim sitting opposite the pair while seemingly holding a watch in his hands, before one of the men pounces on him.
According to the Met, the men made an escape after managing to steal a quantity of high value watches.
Police have since announced that the member of staff, who was not seriously injured during the incident, has died.
The victim, who is from Surrey, passed away on Sunday (26 May) - just 24 hours after his ordeal.
Cops are not treating his death as suspicious.
In a statement, a Met spokesperson told LADbible: "We are aware of the death of a man in Surrey on Sunday, 26 May. This is being investigated by officers from Surrey Police and is not being treated as suspicious at this time.
"The man’s next of kin have been informed and are being supported by specially trained officers.
"The man who died was the victim of a robbery at a jewellers in Richmond on Saturday, 25 May.
"We ask that the privacy of his family is respected at this difficult time and moving CCTV footage of the incident involving the victim is not shared on social media."
The Met have released images of the two suspects they want to locate following the robbery over the weekend.
It added: "Anyone who recognises these two men or has information that could assist police is asked to call 101 or ‘X’ @MetCC and quote CAD4555/25May.
"You can also provide information anonymously to the independent charity Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111."
Witnesses or anyone with information has been urged to contact the force as investigations into the incident continue.
Tributes have began to flood in on social media for the watch dealer, with people saying he 'always had a smile that would brighten the room' and that he will be 'sadly missed'.
Olivia Burke