In Queens, Moshe Haimoff, a social media influencer and luxury watch dealer known to his followers as "The Watch King," was a victim of an armed robbery last week. According to a report by CBS News New York, the incident occurred around 10 a.m. last Wednesday near his home in Utopia, when he was confronted by individuals wearing construction vests.
The incident was captured on surveillance video. "He shoots the gun, hits me in my leg, my right leg. The one, the second bolt, missed, and hit my belt," Haimoff said in a statement provided to CBS News New York. The footage shows a physical struggle in which Haimoff was overpowered and robbed of more than $550,000 in jewelry, including a chain bearing his "Watch King" logo, which the suspects threw back at him before fleeing.
Haimoff believes the robbery may not have been random, but instead planned by someone he knows. "I believe I was targeted. I want to know who set me up because my neighbor left the house two minutes before me and they didn't touch him," he stated, according to CBS News New York. His suspicion has raised questions about trust within his network of acquaintances and the broader luxury goods community.
Despite the violent nature of the incident and the significant financial loss, Haimoff sustained only minor injuries. "God gave me a second chance at life and I'm grateful. It could have been worse, could have been way worse," he said in an interview with CBS News New York.
Separately, he expressed concern over the handling of repeat offenders. "They get a slap on the wrist, go into jail, come out the next day, and do it again," Haimoff told FOX 5 NY, and cited by VIN News.
The NYPD remains on the heels of the suspects, with no arrests made as of the latest updates. Tips and leads regarding the robbery are actively sought by the NYPD's Crime Stoppers. Concerned individuals can call the hotline at 1-800-577-TIPS (8477) or, for Spanish, 1-888-57-PISTA (74782). Information can also be submitted through their website or via DM on X, @NYPDTips, while anonymity is assured.
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