A California businessman says he “thought he was going to die” after being violently robbed of his $600,000 Richard Mille “Rafael Nadal” watch — just days after showing it off on Instagram.
The terrifying incident happened around 5:30 p.m. on Wednesday, October 15, in a parking garage off Main Street in Irvine, near the victim’s office, according to the Irvine Police Department.
Surveillance video shows three masked men in hoodies arriving in a light-colored SUV that blocked the victim’s Bentley as he tried to leave. Moments later, the men dragged him out of the car and pistol-whipped him repeatedly.
“I was inside the car trying to lock the door,” the victim, who asked to remain anonymous, told reporters. “The guy in the white hoodie was on top of me yelling, ‘Shoot him! Shoot him!’”
One attacker reportedly tried to fire his gun — but it jammed. “I honestly thought I was going to die,” the businessman said.
The victim believes the robbery wasn’t random. Days before the attack, he had posted photos of his rare Richard Mille timepiece on Instagram.
Though he says his account was private, he now believes sharing the image made him an easy target. “That was wrong,” he admitted. “They could have taken my car, but they were only after the watch.”
Investigators say the thieves ignored the man’s $300,000 Bentley — which was left running with the keys inside — and his wallet and bag. Police believe the suspects may have waited nearby for hours before launching their ambush.
Authorities now warn the public to think twice before posting photos of expensive items online.
“They’re kind of breadcrumbs,” Irvine Police spokesperson Kyle Oldoerp told reporters. “If you’re showing your apartment, your place of business, or your car, it could lead thieves right to you. We’re asking people to be very considerate of what they share on social media.”
Police say they’ve collected fingerprints and DNA evidence from the scene and continue investigating.
The victim is offering a $50,000 reward for information leading to the arrest of the suspects and the return of his watch. As of late October, no suspects have been identified or apprehended.
Experts say the Irvine robbery is part of a growing national trend targeting luxury watches — especially Richard Mille timepieces, which can sell for hundreds of thousands of dollars.
According to watch industry analysts, stolen high-end watches represent more than $1.25 billion in global losses yearly. Criminal gangs have been known to use social media to scout potential victims, posing as buyers or coordinating planned attacks.
Similar incidents have occurred across the U.S., including in Beverly Hills, Las Vegas, and Miami — sometimes involving celebrities and athletes.
For this California businessman, the lesson is clear. “I thought I was just posting something I was proud of,” he said quietly. “But it almost cost me my life.”
