Dean Whitlock was exiting a highly exclusive section of Circuit of the Americas when a woman fell in front of him on Oct. 19.
The 61-year-old Texas CEO thought he was helping her up. Instead, according to a court complaint, someone ripped a Richard Mille RM 65-01 Chronograph watch from his wrist in a crowded tunnel packed with Formula One U.S. Grand Prix attendees. Whitlock was left with scratches where the watch had been.
A criminal gang targeted the wealthy patrons of Formula 1 racing at Austin’s Circuit of the Americas, according to a lawsuit filed in Travis County District Court Tuesday. The robbery of Whitlock was just one of two that occurred that weekend, both involving high-end Mille brand.
The court filings allege a group of highly organized bandits clad in Red Bull and Ferrari racing apparel have targeted the world’s most expensive spectator sport, and organizers of the event failed to provide adequate security.
“Defendants prioritized profits over safety. They showed complete disregard for their over 430,000 invitees, ranging from their standard ticket holders to their highest-profile and highest-paying guests,” wrote Whitlock’s attorneys in the complaint.
Whitlock’s watch, the RM 65-01, is also known as the “LeBron James” edition, a highly exclusive piece that was one of just 150 ever made. He purchased it for $400,000 and it has now appreciated to more than $750,000, according to the complaint.
The layered carbon and Lakers-yellow midcase has LeBron’s “King James” crown logo and engraved signature.
It was the second Richard Mille piece reported stolen that weekend. The day before, another man was robbed of a Richard Mille watch. According to media reports, the suspects in that case wore similar outfits, used similar methods and targeted a similar type of watch.
Whitlock managed to grab one of the people he said robbed him, holding the person for up to as 30 minutes before security arrived.
“When the security eventually arrived, they informed Plaintiff that there was insufficient security and there were no police located at the immediate premises, despite the previous attack only the day before,” said the complaint.
Viviana Garzon-Olarte, 39, was charged with felonies including robbery by assault and engaging in organized crime. The police report written by APD Detective Jared Hidalgo said investigators believed she was part of the group of thieves that had struck the day before.
Richard Mille had given several tickets to the Grand Prix, including Whitlock’s and had encouraged its clients to watch the race from the Paddock Club, a highly exclusive venue onsite.
Whitlock is suing Circuit of the Americas LLC and the promotional company Liberty Media Corporation for negligence, gross negligence, and premises liability. They are seeking damages that include the $750,000 watch and physical and emotional anguish, and exemplary damages.
The Circuit of the Americas and Liberty Media did not immediately respond to requests for comment.