Met on Fabergé egg hunt after items worth £2m poached from Soho pub
A man was arrested for stealing a Fabergé egg and watch worth £2 million from a pub in Soho, London.
In a bizarre theft that has caught the attention of law enforcement and the public, Enzo Conticello, also known as Hakim Boudjenoune, was charged with stealing valuable items, including a Fabergé egg and a prestigious watch, from Rosie Dawson at a pub in Soho, London. The theft occurred in November 2024 when Conticello picked Dawson's handbag, which contained not only the expensive jewelry but also her laptop and credit cards. After being apprehended in Belfast on January 26, 2025, Conticello faced various charges, including theft and fraud.
During his court appearance at Southwark Crown Court, Conticello admitted to theft and multiple counts of fraud but did not plead to the charge of concealing criminal property. Judge Griffith expressed curiosity about the stolen egg and watch, emphasizing the uniqueness and value of the items. The case highlights the unusual nature of the crime, particularly the theft of such high-value and rare objects, which are not commonly the targets of pickpockets.
The incident has raised questions about security and the ease with which valuable items can be taken in a busy social setting like a pub. Furthermore, the Metropolitan Police's ongoing investigation indicates the significance of recovering stolen items of this nature, not only to restore them to their rightful owners but also to maintain public confidence in the safety of such establishments. The implications of this case may lead to increased scrutiny of security measures in similar venues in the future.