A robber from Birmingham, Wassim Zenil, was apprehended after a violent theft on a train. Zenil, who lives on Haseley Road in Handsworth, snatched a £3,000 watch from a victim’s wrist as the train approached Southampton Airport Parkway station in April. The victim’s watch strap was broken in the process, and they immediately called for help.
Fortunately, an off-duty City of London police officer was nearby. The officer managed to stop the train and took a description of Zenil from the victim. They proceeded to search the train for the suspect. The victim soon identified a locked toilet and asked passengers if anyone had entered it. The police officer knocked on the door, and Zenil opened it. He was then detained and arrested for robbery after the stolen watch was found on him.
Zenil resisted arrest, injuring the officer. A member of the public helped restrain him, but Zenil bit the helper’s hand. Upon the arrival of uniformed police officers, Zenil was taken into custody.
Zenil pleaded guilty to robbery at Southampton Crown Court on October 10. On December 16, he was sentenced to two years and six months in prison.
Investigating Officer DC Ryan Smith expressed gratitude to the off-duty officer and the public for their assistance in catching Zenil. He added, “Zenil acted violently and with cruelty, targeting a lone passenger for his own gain. I am extremely pleased with the sentence handed down. Tackling robbery on the network is a force priority, and if you witness something suspicious or unusual, report it to us.”
For immediate reports, DC Smith urged people to contact authorities via the Railway Guardian app or text 61016, and to call 999 in cases of robbery.