Three Arrested in Fatal Stabbing Outside High End London Casino

• Father stabbed near luxury hotel in targeted street attack
• Police arrested three men; motive remains under investigation
• Knightsbridge sees rise in luxury watch-related street crimes

London’s Metropolitan Police have arrested three people in connection with the stabbing death of a young father outside the exclusive Park Tower Knightsbridge casino-hotel last Wednesday.

Two suspects were arrested in Hounslow, a west London suburb, on July 12, one on suspicion of conspiracy to murder, and the other on suspicion of murder. A third man was arrested on Monday on suspicion of assisting an offender.

Blue Stevens, 24, a father of two, was stabbed in front of his partner outside The Park Tower Casino, apparently as he attempted to fend off a masked thief who was trying to steal his Rolex watch, according to early reports.

Botched Robbery … or Something Else?

The casino-hotel, which charges £1,500 (around US$2,000) per night, is located just a block from the iconic Harrods department store in London’s upscale Knightsbridge district.

Locals say the area has seen a rise in criminals targeting people carrying luxury goods, and police data shows street robberies in Knightsbridge and adjacent Belgravia shot up 33% in the year to June.

However, police said Monday they were keeping an open mind about the motive, adding that Stevens may have been killed in a targeted attack.

Stevens was pronounced dead at the scene shortly after responders arrived at around 9:30 p.m., according to police.

The suspects, who have not been named, are all male and in their 20s, according to police. After their arrests, investigators secured a warrant to search two properties in Chiswick, also in west London, where “significant evidence” was recovered.

‘Significant Milestone’

“These arrests mark a significant milestone in this complex and unfolding murder investigation,” Detective Chief Superintendent Christina Jessah told reporters Monday.

“We continue to progress at pace. While we retain an open mind around motive, one line of enquiry is now that this may have been a targeted attack. Increased police patrols remain active in and around the Knightsbridge area. Please do speak with an officer if you have any questions or concerns,” Jessah added.

A hotel spokesperson confirmed last week that none of the guests or staff were involved in the incident.

“We are very saddened by this incident that occurred on the street adjacent to our hotel. Our thoughts are with the victim’s family at this difficult time,” the spokesperson said.