Richmond watch dealer found dead day after store robbed

A watch dealer who was assaulted by two men during a robbery at a south-west London jewellers was found dead a day later, police have said.

The shop worker, aged in his 20s, was put in a chokehold as two men snatched numerous high value watches from the store on Kew Road in Richmond on Saturday afternoon.

The following evening, Surrey Police was called to an address in Shepperton over a report of a concern for safety and the man was found dead.

The force said his death was “not thought to be suspicious”.

CCTV footage taken inside the store, which was posted online, shows the watch dealer demonstrating an item to two men at a table when one suddenly jumps on him and grabs him round the neck.

The other then takes numerous high value watches from a display, which get placed in a rucksack as the shop worker continues to be held down on a chair.

Images of two suspects were released on Saturday night by the Met Police as part of an appeal to find them.

At the time, the force said the two robbers were not armed and the member of staff had not been seriously injured.

The shop worker was then found dead after police were called to the location in Shepperton shortly after 20:15 on Sunday.

In a statement, Surrey Police said: “A man in his 20s was sadly pronounced dead at the scene. His next of kin are aware and are being supported.”

The force added that “inquiries are still ongoing, but his death is not thought to be suspicious”.

In an updated statement, the Met said it was “aware of the death of a man in Surrey”.

“We ask that the privacy of his family is respected at this difficult time,” it said.

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