Beware of the designer bag snatchers: Shop robbers target £600,000 of 'pre-loved' accessories including high-end brands Chanel and Hermes from showrooms By SABRINA MILLER Published: 23:02 GMT, 6 December 2024 | Updated: 23:14 GMT, 6 December 2024 e-mail 2 View comments Shops selling ‘pre-loved’ luxury handbags are on high alert after burglars stole more than £600,000 worth of products from two showrooms in London . Dozens of second-hand bags from brands such as Chanel and Hermes – some which sell for upwards of £10,000 – were taken in the raids. Dramatic CCTV footage shows masked thieves smashing their way into the stores before filling sacks with the high-end gear. Police are not treating the robberies as linked but word has spread across the industry, with shops now on guard in the run-up to Christmas as the black market is in full swing. On Tuesday, two crooks raided the appointment-only Eveyspreloved showroom in north London while an accomplice waited outside in a getaway car. They kicked down the door and took just five minutes to steal the one-of-a-kind goods before disappearing. In total around 70 per cent of the showroom’s stock was taken, with a total value in excess of £100,000. Distraught business owner Evey Amery, 57, said of the raid: ‘It was clearly targeted because you can see on the CCTV that the robbers knew where they were going and where the products were.’ Among the bags stolen were a blue-suede cowskin Chanel bag with champagne-coloured hardware, priced at around £2,250, and a vintage 1957 Hermes Kelly 28 Miel Crocodile bag, valued at over £11,000. Evey Amery with a Chanel reissue double flap handbag. Over £600,000 of second-hand bags were stolen in a raid of her two showrooms CCTV footage of Evey Amery Kurlander's handbags being stolen from the north London showroom This Louis Vuitton Monogram Aquagarden Mini soft trunk abyss limited edition blue bag worth £3,000 was among pieces stolen A Chanel Mini rectangular bag worth £4,650 that was stolen in the raid Also taken was a Chanel pink medium flap bag in tweed with a pearl handle and Champagne gold hardware worth over £5,600 Also taken was a black Chanel mock alligator-skin bag worth in excess of £4,000 and an olive green Hermes Kelly costing £8,000. Ms Amery added: ‘I’ve always been so worried about security and weirdly relocated the room where I store the bags just eight days before the burglary.’ It is feared the items will be sold for bargain prices on the black market by gangs determined to cash in on the festive season. On November 13, three masked men used an axe and scaffolding to shatter the windows of the Sellier showroom in Belgravia. They grabbed £500,000 worth of designer goods in a robbery that lasted just three minutes. Among the stolen items were a Hermes vintage Birkin bag with gold buckles worth almost £15,000 and a pink tweed Chanel flap bag with a pearl handle valued at nearly £6,000. Co-founder Ayaz Ibrahimov, 34, claims to have seen his bags for sale on social media app Snapchat. He says he handed the evidence over to police but nothing was done. ‘I put the identity of the person who robbed us under the police’s nose,’ Mr Ibrahimov said. ‘The forensics team have DNA evidence because the robbers injured themselves when they broke into the shop and left blood behind. But I haven’t heard a peep from the police in three weeks.’ In July, around half of luxury re-seller Luxe Collective’s stock – worth up to £500,000 – was stolen from the company’s warehouse in West Lancashire. One careful owner but still premium prices In an industry that deals in fads, seasonal trends and this year’s must-haves, the one item that never goes out of style is the designer bag. It’s true that the era of the It Bag – when the most important element of your outfit was your handbag, whether it was a Mulberry Bayswater or a Fendi Baguette – ended decades ago. But in its place a market has emerged for pre-loved (previously owned but in excellent condition) designer bags that have a history of their own. The idea now is not to carry the purse of the season but to own one of the classic bags with a name to prove how long they’ve been at the top. If yours has had one careful previous owner all the better; shaving a few thousand off the price makes them less eye-wateringly expensive (we’re talking about £8,850 for a new Chanel flap bag, but around £3,000 second hand). The most covetable among them are the Hermes Birkin (named after its inspiration Jane Birkin); the Hermes Kelly (after Grace Kelly) and the classic Chanel quilted flap bags: the 2.55 (named for the date of its creation, February 1955) and the 11.12. Then there are the relative newcomers to the pantheon of arm candy: Balenciaga’s Le City, Mulberry’s multi-pocketed Roxanne and The Row’s Margaux. Styles that are no longer in production are also in high demand. Dior’s Columbus, which dates back to John Galliano’s days as head designer in 2002 (£810 on eBay), has re-entered the hotlist since Rihanna was seen carrying one this summer. A Hermes gold vintage Birkin Retourne 30cm natural sable box calf leather handbag And the puffy cushioned and padlocked Chloe Paddington bag, a star of Phoebe Philo’s spring/summer 2005 collection, is another early 21st century bag enjoying a renaissance with younger customers (for a relatively reasonable £600 on eBay). For where once buying designer bags was a niche hobby of ladies who lunched, interest has exploded over the past couple of years. It’s now so mainstream that department stores Selfridges and John Lewis have their own vintage collections. Pre-loved bags are typically indistinguishable from brand new, but their cheaper price means you stand a chance of owning something you otherwise couldn’t. However, in some cases a second-hand piece can sell for more than its original price. To buy a new Birkin, Hermes requires the shopper to leap through hoops to prove their brand loyalty before they are permitted to part with their £9,000. This exclusivity means that pre-loved Birkins can sell for as much as £25,000. Such bags are status symbols, luxury fashion statements – and they’re collectable in the way that fine porcelain used to be. Whether you want them to show off or to sell on at auction, they’re hot property. Chanel London Share or comment on this article: Beware of the designer bag snatchers: Shop robbers target £600,000 of 'pre-loved' accessories including high-end brands Chanel and Hermes from showrooms e-mail Add commentThe man who ended Nadal's career helps the Netherlands beat Germany to reach the Davis Cup final
With the New York Yankees addressing their need at first base with Paul Goldschmidt, the stove has gone from red-hot to ice-cold for Brian Cashman, who has spent $64 million through numerous trades and signings. Their work isn’t done yet, as according to Jon Heyman, they’re still involved in the bullpen market with left-handed veteran relievers Andrew Chafin and Tim Hill being at the top of their list of free agent targets. While the bullpen is a strength for the Yankees right now, they have some redundancy due to the flurry of right-handed arms in that group. Hill, who spent last year with the Yankees as an unsung hero, is the fan-favorite incumbent option, but Chafin brings a veteran arm as well as he posted a 3.51 ERA and 28.5% strikeout rate in his age-34 season with the Tigers and Rangers. Tim Hill and Andrew Chafin Garnering Interest From Yankees It’s easy to see why the Yankees would want Tim Hill back, who served an extremely valuable role in the Yankees’ bullpen as their primary lefty with a strong sinker and excellent groundball numbers. While he had just a 10.7% strikeout rate between Chicago and New York, he posted a 3.36 ERA and had a 68.2% groundball rate, improving his production with the Yankees mid-season. In 35 appearances with the Bronx Bombers, Hill posted a 2.05 ERA and 69.9% groundball rate, being even better in the postseason where he was a reliable weapon for manager Aaron Boone in their biggest games. Hill posted a 1.08 ERA with a 55.6% groundball rate across 10 playoff appearances, showing off his elite sinker even though he sits at around 90-91 MPH with it. Entering his age-35 season, he’s only a few months older than Andrew Chafin , who brings some more swing-and-miss thanks to his wicked slider. He posted a 3.51 ERA last season with a 28.5% strikeout rate, struggling in Texas after a strong first half with the upstart Tigers who sold at the deadline. Andrew Chafin has elite swing-and-miss numbers, running a 34.5% Whiff Rate which ranks in the 96th Percentile for pitchers. His gyro slider produced over 43 inches of vertical drop and generated a Whiff Rate north of 50% as a result, with batters slugging a measly .186 against the pitch. Chafin’s four-seamer and sinker didn’t have the same kind of success, as his fastball velocity has sunk from 93-94 MPH in his younger years to about 91-92 MPH. He still generates a good amount of horizontal movement on his sinker and vertical movement on his fastball, but perhaps the Yankees are able to get some value out of him by finetuning his fastballs or adding to his repertoire with a cutter. The Yankees would love to improve his groundball numbers from the last two seasons, and they might be able to by shifting his sinker locating a bit. Perhaps having him attack inside to right-handed batters and away from lefties could play up his cross-fire delivery, but that’s an adjustment that would be left up to more informed people such as Matt Blake and Sam Briend. Second base (or third base) remains a hole on the roster for the Yankees to address as well, although suitable options to upgrade with aren’t as apparent on the market right now with the team over the fourth threshold. This article first appeared on Empire Sports Media and was syndicated with permission.
The man who ended Nadal's career helps the Netherlands beat Germany to reach the Davis Cup finalAries - (21st March to 19th April) Daily Horoscope Prediction says, you never compromise on ideals Handle the troubles in the love life with a smile to have trouble-free today. Professional success will be there and your health will also be good today. A strong and smooth romantic relationship is the catchword of the day. Utilize every professional opportunity to grow. Prosperity will be at your side along with positive health. Aries Love Horoscope Today Consider the aspirations of the lover and keep the partner in a good mood. Some minor tremors may be there but they won’t go beyond the evening. This is also a period to rekindle the past relationship as you may meet up with your ex-flame. However, those who are committed or married must not indulge in anything that may hurt the relationship. Be diplomatic in the love relationship and you may plan a romantic dinner to discuss the future life. Aries Career Horoscope Today You are professionally lucky today. New opportunities will knock on the door and utilize them to prove their mettle. Handle the office pressure with confidence. You may need to spend extra hours at the office but that will also help you gain prominence at the workplace. Government employees can expect a change in the location today. Businessmen can also expand their territories as this is a good time to invest in new areas and locations. Students may be required to put in additional effort to clear the examination. Aries Money Horoscope Today Prosperity will be your companion. This will help you make crucial monetary decisions. Some male natives will be keen to invest in the stock market and speculative business which also promises good returns. Those who are planning for foreign travel can book the flight tickets and make hotel reservations. Businessmen can pick the second part of the day to launch a new venture while traders handling electronics, home appliances, fashion accessories, and auto spare parts will see good returns. Aries Health Horoscope Today No major health issue will be there and you are good to even go for a vacation to a hill station. Some females may develop migraine but there will be nothing serious. While traveling today, keep a first aid box always with you. Some people may suffer blood pressure and they may need to consult a doctor. Aries Sign Attributes Strength: Optimistic, Energetic, Sincere, Multitalented, Venturesome, generous, cheerful, curious Weakness: Reckless, Argumentative, Loud-mouthed, Impatient Symbol: Ram Element: Fire Body Part: Head Sign Ruler: Mars Lucky Day: Tuesday Lucky Color: Red Lucky Number: 5 Lucky Stone: Ruby Aries Compatibility Chart Natural affinity: Gemini, Leo, Sagittarius, Aquarius Good compatibility: Aries, Libra Fair compatibility: Taurus, Virgo, Scorpio, Pisces Less compatibility: Cancer, Capricorn By: Dr. J. N. Pandey Vedic Astrology & Vastu Expert Website: www.astrologerjnpandey.com E-mail: djnpandey@gmail.com Phone: 91-9811107060 (WhatsApp Only)
None"Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit, sed do eiusmod tempor incididunt ut labore et dolore magna aliqua. Ut enim ad minim veniam, quis nostrud exercitation ullamco laboris nisi ut aliquip ex ea commodo consequat. Duis aute irure dolor in reprehenderit in voluptate velit esse cillum dolore eu fugiat nulla pariatur. Excepteur sint occaecat cupidatat non proident, sunt in culpa qui officia deserunt mollit anim id est laborum." Section 1.10.32 of "de Finibus Bonorum et Malorum", written by Cicero in 45 BC "Sed ut perspiciatis unde omnis iste natus error sit voluptatem accusantium doloremque laudantium, totam rem aperiam, eaque ipsa quae ab illo inventore veritatis et quasi architecto beatae vitae dicta sunt explicabo. Nemo enim ipsam voluptatem quia voluptas sit aspernatur aut odit aut fugit, sed quia consequuntur magni dolores eos qui ratione voluptatem sequi nesciunt. Neque porro quisquam est, qui dolorem ipsum quia dolor sit amet, consectetur, adipisci velit, sed quia non numquam eius modi tempora incidunt ut labore et dolore magnam aliquam quaerat voluptatem. Ut enim ad minima veniam, quis nostrum exercitationem ullam corporis suscipit laboriosam, nisi ut aliquid ex ea commodi consequatur? Quis autem vel eum iure reprehenderit qui in ea voluptate velit esse quam nihil molestiae consequatur, vel illum qui dolorem eum fugiat quo voluptas nulla pariatur?" 1914 translation by H. Rackham "But I must explain to you how all this mistaken idea of denouncing pleasure and praising pain was born and I will give you a complete account of the system, and expound the actual teachings of the great explorer of the truth, the master-builder of human happiness. No one rejects, dislikes, or avoids pleasure itself, because it is pleasure, but because those who do not know how to pursue pleasure rationally encounter consequences that are extremely painful. Nor again is there anyone who loves or pursues or desires to obtain pain of itself, because it is pain, but because occasionally circumstances occur in which toil and pain can procure him some great pleasure. To take a trivial example, which of us ever undertakes laborious physical exercise, except to obtain some advantage from it? But who has any right to find fault with a man who chooses to enjoy a pleasure that has no annoying consequences, or one who avoids a pain that produces no resultant pleasure?" 1914 translation by H. Rackham "But I must explain to you how all this mistaken idea of denouncing pleasure and praising pain was born and I will give you a complete account of the system, and expound the actual teachings of the great explorer of the truth, the master-builder of human happiness. No one rejects, dislikes, or avoids pleasure itself, because it is pleasure, but because those who do not know how to pursue pleasure rationally encounter consequences that are extremely painful. Nor again is there anyone who loves or pursues or desires to obtain pain of itself, because it is pain, but because occasionally circumstances occur in which toil and pain can procure him some great pleasure. To take a trivial example, which of us ever undertakes laborious physical exercise, except to obtain some advantage from it? But who has any right to find fault with a man who chooses to enjoy a pleasure that has no annoying consequences, or one who avoids a pain that produces no resultant pleasure?" Thanks for your interest in Kalkine Media's content! To continue reading, please log in to your account or create your free account with us.Another Sunday, another Nick Sirianni outburst. The head coach of the Eagles got into it with his former tight end, Zach Ertz, after the Commanders spoiled his Eagles’ plans to secure the NFC East division title Sunday. Sirianni only relented when Philadelphia legend Dom DiSandro, the Eagles’ chief security officer known as “Big Dom,” came over and ushered the head coach into the tunnel at Northwest Stadium. DiSandro made headlines last year when he and 49ers linebacker Dre Greenlaw got into a scuffle , leading to both getting ejected. The security head was suspended from the sidelines for the rest of the season by the league. In this recent instance, neither Sirianni nor Ertz fully spilled the beans on what caused the altercation, but the Philadelphia Inquirer reported that the head coach, during a postgame handshake, chirped the tight end about how he played during the game. Ertz was held to just one catch for 12 yards against his old squad. “I’ll just keep all of my conversations with any guys private,” Sirianni told reporters Thursday. “I’ve got a lot of respect for Zach. Great football player, great person to be around. I got a lot of respect for Zach and all the good things that he’s done and my relationship with him.” ESPN reported that Sirianni later called Ertz to apologize for the confrontation. “Nick and I had a great relationship when I was there, and we still have a great relationship. It’s definitely been blown way out of proportion. We spoke. We’re good. There’s no ill feelings on my part and I don’t think there are any ill feelings on his part,” Ertz said Thursday. The head coach and tight end overlapped in Philadelphia for only six games, as Ertz was sent to the Cardinals halfway through the 2021 season, Sirianni’s first year with the team. Ertz was a member of the Eagles’ lone Super Bowl-winning team in 2017, catching the go-ahead touchdown that lifted Philadelphia over the Patriots. Across eight-plus seasons, he recorded 579 receptions — the second-most in franchise history. For Sirianni and the Eagles, Sunday’s 36-33 loss might be the least of their collective worries. Star quarterback Jalen Hurts exited the Week 16 contest with what the team later deemed a concussion . Worse yet, it’s looking like the two-time Pro Bowler could be sidelined again when the Eagles take on the Cowboys in their second consecutive divisional matchup this Sunday, as he still remains in the concussion protocol . Kenny Pickett, who came in against the Commanders to replace Hurts, has been limited in practices so far this week due to a rib injury. The Eagles signed quarterback Ian Book after bringing the 26-year-old in for a visit on Christmas Day, which gives them a little more insurance. The Week 17 game against Dallas offers Philadelphia another chance at securing the NFC East title.James Carville Blasts Trump Cabinet Picks As “Pack Of Creepy Perverts” As New Documentary About Him Gets Post-Election Recut
As he delivered his postgame speech after the Vikings escaped with a 23-22 win over the Arizona Cardinals last Sunday, head coach Kevin O’Connell locked eyes with undrafted defensive tackle Jalen Redmond. After watching Redmond explode into the backfield on multiple occasions, making a couple of tackles for a loss in the process, O’Connell wanted to make it known how much he appreciated his impact on the game. So, as he handed out game balls like he typically does after each win, O’Connell made sure Redmond got the recognition he deserved. “Sometimes we start feeling a guy’s energy,” O’Connell said. “Just highlighting that.” Redmond was caught off guard in the locker room at U.S. Bank Stadium, joking that he almost started to get emotional when he heard O’Connell say his name aloud. “It meant a lot,” Redmond said. “It was a special moment.” It was a stark contrast to back in training camp at TCO Performance Center when Redmond got kicked out of practice by O’Connell in response to a scuffle after the whistle. He remembers leaving that particular summer practice a little bit unsure about his future with the Vikings. “When I was walking off I was like, ‘Oh man. What did I do? I messed up,’ ” Redmond said. “The rule was not to fight, and I know that, so I was, like, ‘Man. I can’t be doing this stuff. I’m barely here.’ ” Fortunately for Redmond, O’Connell was forgiving in the immediate aftermath, and he got to keep his spot on the roster. Fortunately for the Vikings, Redmond has made the most of his opportunity, and he has slowly started carving out a niche for himself this season. “There’s a reason why he made our team,” O’Connell said. “He’s a perfect fit for our scheme with the way we move those guys up front.” The fact that Redmond has proven skills as interior pass rusher is something defensive coordinator Brian Flores has tapped into even more he’s found places to insert him into the game on a weekly basis. “The athleticism jumped out immediately,” Flores said. “This guy can run.” That has long been a calling card for Redmond. He was an explosive athlete in college at Oklahoma, and ran the 40-yard dash in 4.81 seconds, proving he had the twitchiness to play at the next level. After signing with the Carolina Panthers as an undrafted free agent, Redmond arrived at rookie minicamp hellbent on proving everybody wrong. He got cut after training camp despite showing flashes of his potential. “It crushed me,” Redmond said. “I didn’t know if I was ever going to get another shot.” As he sat at home wondering what was next for him, Redmond randomly got a call from the legendary Bob Stoops, the former head coach of Oklahoma, who is now the head coach of the Arlington Renegades of the UFL. “It was wild,” Redmond said. “I look at my phone and see the name. I was like, “Why is Bob Stoops calling me?’ I answered it and he asked if I wanted to play on his team.” After growing up in in Oklahoma, Redmond was not about to say no to a legend. He joined the Arlington Renegades and eventually parlayed that into a cup of coffee with the Vikings ahead of training camp “I went there with the mindset that I was going to make the best of it and try to get back to where I wanted to be,” Redmond said. “I had a lot of fun there, and it helped get me to where I am now.” Though he wasn’t exactly a household name, Redmond did enough to make the team out of training camp. “Whenever I walk through those doors and my code still works, I don’t take it for granted,” Redmond said. “I put in everything I can to everything I do here because I’ve been on the other side of it.” Now he’s starting to look more and more like somebody who could emerge as a key contributor for the Vikings down the road. “That’s all I wanted to do when I got here,” Redmond said. “Just prove that I can play at this level.” He can. He has a game ball as proof. “I was so happy for him,” Flores said. “I think he’s got a long career in front of him.”The Middle East is no longer a predictable chessboard where moves can be studied and anticipated. Instead, it resembles a hurricane, unpredictable in both timing and direction. This is the reality we face. The danger posed by the political and military vacuum following the collapse of Bashar al-Assad’s regime in Syria lies not only in its timing but also in the speed and far-reaching consequences of this shift, even for the powerful regional actors involved. The Syrian scene in recent days has been rife with contradictions that defy explanation. While global media broadcast celebrations of the regime’s fall, Israeli airstrikes target all aspects of the Syrian army—from equipment and weapons to laboratories and factories. Every day, Israel conducts over 350 airstrikes on what remains of the national army, and at day’s end, announces the details of its operations with complete transparency. As Syrians celebrate, the Israeli occupation army advances deep into the Golan Heights, including Mount Hermon, claiming an additional 250 square kilometers. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has declared the Golan permanently Israeli and vowed to double settlement activities in the plateau. On Syria’s northern front, a parallel scenario unfolds. Turkish forces have invaded the north, occupying multiple cities and regions, all while denouncing Israel’s expansion in the Golan. Simultaneously, they destroy Syrian army weapons depots in these newly seized areas and prepare to attack the Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF) to tighten control over the Kurds. Meanwhile, Ahmed al-Shara, also known as Muhammad al-Jolani, the general commander of Hayat Tahrir al-Sham (HTS), which played a major role in toppling the regime, appears to be taking a calculated approach. Recognizing that emulating ISIS’s brutality would be counterproductive, he refrained from wreaking havoc in Damascus. Instead, he launched a media campaign, calling for reconciliation and unity, proclaiming, “I am Syrian, you are Syrian. I oppose Assad, not the country or its people.” He even announced on Al Arabiya that compulsory conscription would be abolished, relying instead on volunteers, signaling a shift in the willingness of Syrians to bear arms. On the eastern front, American forces raised their flag over the Kurdish city of Kobane to secure it, while continuing to control Syria’s vital oil fields. The final outcome in Syria appears stark: Assad’s regime has fallen, and the Syrian army has been entirely dismantled—an unprecedented event even compared to the 1967 war. Israel now firmly controls the Golan Heights and Mount Hermon. Turkish forces have seized more than 13 cities, cementing their influence. The United States has solidified its presence in oil-rich regions while extending legal protection to the Kurds and the SDF. Syria, like Iraq and Lebanon, is a mosaic of sects, religious, ethnic, and political groups formed over centuries. Its future, therefore, cannot be disentangled from its complex regional environment. Yet the dominance of extremist jihadist currents at the core of Syrian geography suggests that the nation’s future will be marked by sectarianism and politicization, aligned with the interests of powerful regional players. Such a scenario is unsustainable. Syria’s plight stems from more than seven years of cumulative failures. Israeli attacks, initially tactical, have had profound strategic repercussions, weakening the resistance axis and claiming key leaders. U.S. sanctions and support for armed groups exacerbated the situation, while internal Syrian conflicts and the Iranian regime’s flawed strategies further undermined resistance. The assassination of Qasem Soleimani marked a turning point, emboldening Israel to act unchallenged in Syria, with the consequences now reaching Iran’s doorstep. With Assad gone, Syrians celebrate in Damascus while opposition groups scramble to organize a political transition. Yet the administrative failures of Syrian rebel factions, proven during their governance of large territories, cast a long shadow over these efforts. Western observers speculate that HTS might take charge, but their track record suggests otherwise. Even when controlling two-thirds of Idlib province, HTS struggled with governance and showed little commitment to political pluralism. Past attempts by opposition groups to govern areas like southern Syria, Damascus’s outskirts, and Turkish-controlled regions in the north often resulted in militia rule and infighting, with efforts to unite factions repeatedly failing. The greatest danger facing Syria is not solely Islamic extremism but the chaos likely to follow the opposition’s victory. Regardless of the form of future governance, the challenges are immense, and the risks are imminent. Syria’s social and economic crises, already overwhelming, are poised to worsen. According to the United Nations, 16.7 million Syrians need humanitarian aid, and 12.9 million suffer from food insecurity. Even after the conflict ends, Syria will require between $200 billion and $400 billion to rebuild, a figure far beyond the willingness of the US or the West to contribute. The road ahead for Syria is fraught with uncertainty and peril. The fall of Assad is not the end of the story but the beginning of a new and turbulent chapter in the region’s history. Dr. Hatem Sadek – Professor at Helwan University
Manmohan Singh, Indian ex-PM and architect of economic reform, dies at 92