F1 US GP watch thefts: Austin police make first arrest as suspects remain at large

A number of Richard Mille watches have been stolen over the United States Grand Prix weekend, with Austin police now investigating the organised crime that targeted spectators at the Circuit of The Americas. 

Two timepieces were taken in separate incidents, and a 39-year-old woman has now been arrested. Identified by the police as Viviana Garzon-Olarte from Las Vegas, she was reportedly supported by several others who are yet to be found.

According to FOX, Garzon-Olarte would fall in front of the victim, who would then help, before a number of men assaulted them and took the victim's watch. This happened a number of times over the weekend, according to reports, but the latest attempt saw the woman involved held by the public before officers arrived and detained her. 

She has now been charged with engaging in organised criminal activity with a bond set at $30,000, $10,000 for each of her three charges - two of which have not been disclosed. According to local police, digital evidence obtained under a warrant pointed to an Airbnb property in Lago Vista, where the group had been staying. 

Max Verstappen, Red Bull Racing

Photo by: Sam Bagnall / Sutton Images via Getty Images

The watches stolen can range anywhere from six figures to a few million dollars depending on the model. This has meant these watches are often the target of theft. 

Ferrari driver Charles Leclerc had his RM 67-02 stolen in 2022, with the Italian police arresting four suspects in connection with the robbery. A year later, Carlos Sainz had his Richard Mille stolen in Milan but managed to chase down the culprits and recover his watch. McLaren's Lando Norris also had his watch of the same make stolen outside Wembley Stadium after the Euro 2020 final.

Earlier this year, ex-NFL player Jason Pierre-Paul also had his Richard Mille stolen during the Miami Grand Prix race weekend. 

These robberies haven't been linked, but the investigation is still ongoing.