Ealing watch thief jailed after he attacked an undercover cop

Abdi-Rahman Khaliif-Ali

Abdi-Rahman Khaliif-Ali caught in undercover sting

A watch thief who unwittingly targeted an undercover police officer wearing a luxury timepiece has been jailed.

Abdi-Rahman Khaliif-Ali, 26 from Ealing, was sentenced to life imprisonment with a minimum term of four years and nine months at Southwark Crown Court today. He had earlier pleaded guilty to assault with intent to rob and intentional strangulation at a plea hearing in January.

The officer was part of an undercover sting investigating street robberies that target high-value watches in the capital. Posing as someone looking for directions, he was followed by Khaliif-Ali, who offered to take him to the nearest train station.

They eventually arrived at Covent Garden station, which the defendant told him was Tottenham Court Road station. Khaliif-Ali kept telling the officer they were “not far” from their destination.

After asking Khaliif-Ali to direct him to Wardour Street, the officer noticed he was looking at and speaking about his watch, a Rolex Sky-Dweller valued at £45,000. When they came to a set of stairs, Khaliif-Ali grabbed the officer’s neck from behind and started to strangle him.

He attempted to remove the watch but failed. As Khaliif-Ali attacked the undercover officer, another police officer arrived and arrested him.

The attack left the undercover officer with a swollen lip, swelling and cuts to his face.

Claire Campbell of the Crown Prosecution Service said:

“This was a sustained and serious attack from a violent individual determined to steal the victim’s watch by any means necessary.

“This would have been a terrifying experience for the victim, despite being a trained undercover police officer who was protecting the streets of our capital. It is deeply concerning to think about what the consequences might have been if this happened to a member of the public. Khaliif-Ali will now be behind bars for a significant period of time.

“The CPS will continue to work with and support our police partners who are playing a vital role in tackling the issue of watch thefts in London.”

According to The Sun newspaper, Khaliif-Ali is known to be a gambling addict and is paranoid schizophrenic. In 2018, he had been detained under the Mental Health Act for wounding with intent. During the sentencing, Judge Justin Cole told him, “I’m in no doubt that you are dangerous.”

Rolex Sky-Dweller watches; Rolex.com

Robberies of expensive watches on the increase

Thefts of expensive watches are often accompanied by threats of serious violence.

When TV presenter Aled Jones had his watch stolen, walking in the street in Chiswick two years ago, the thief threatened him with a machete.

Cllr Andrew Dinsmore, a Conservative member of Hammersmith and Fulham Council, also had his watch stolen by thieves waving a machete in his face.

READ ALSO: Teenager threatened to cut off TV presenter Aled Jones’ arm with machete, court hears

READ ALSO: Mugger who stole Aled Jones’ watch named in court

READ ALSO: Hammersmith councillor calls for machete ban after having watch stolen

While personal robberies in general have decreased by 14% over the past year, watch thefts have been on the increase since April. The problem is worse in the summer months because the victims are more likely to be wearing short sleeves with their watches clearly in view.

Last week three gang members were sentenced to more than 29 years for three high-value thefts in Mayfair in June 2024.

The victims were threatened with violence when they tried to fend off their attackers. Two watches were stolen.

Tedros Haile, 35 of Hammersmith, Mahad Jammeh, 24 of Enfield, and Christian Whittingham, 27 of Uxbridge, were convicted of a series of robbery and attempted robbery charges. Haile was sentenced to 11 years. Whittingham was jailed for ten years and six months while Jammeh received an eight-year term.

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