Harrods thief mistakenly pinches £20k DRC

A thief described as “more of a connoisseur than a criminal mastermind” tried to steal a bottle of DRC Romanée-Conti from London’s Harrods store, insisting he thought it was worth “£45-£70”.

Guards at the iconic London store managed to stop the thief before he could make off with the wine (Photo: Wiki)

French native Boris Chaudemanche, 34, appeared at London’s Hammersmith Magistrates Court on Tuesday after pleading guilty to theft for attempting to walk out of the world-famous store on 6 December with the bottle tucked in to a large roll of tin foil.

The London Evening Standard quotes prosecutor Stuart Stevens, who said in court, “It appears that he is more of a connoisseur than a criminal mastermind. He could not believe it [the bottle] was worth that much. He thought it was [worth] about £45 to £70.

“When officers told him how much it was worth, he just said ‘What?’.”

The Standard also reports that Chaudemanche, who faced the judge without a lawyer, confessed to drinking a bottle of whisky every two days.

He has previous convictions for driving offences, but not for theft.

Sentence was adjourned for an alcohol assessment requirement but the judge warned Chaudemanche: “I make it very clear that if I deal with you next time, you will be going to prison”.

He was remanded on bail before sentencing on 26 January.