Shaun Wallace, the 66-year-old “Dark Destroyer” on ITV’s The Chase, had his luggage stolen at London’s St Pancras International station after returning from Paris, where he had been filming an advertisement, the Daily Mail reported. The theft occurred last month when Wallace was getting into a taxi at the station following his trip from the French capital.
How the Theft Unfolded at St Pancras
Wallace had packed three pieces of luggage into the back of the cab when a man approached him and told him he had “dropped a card at the back,” according to the Daily Mail. The ITV star got out of the vehicle to retrieve the card, and another person then stole his bag from inside the car. Among the stolen items were his favorite blue suede shoes, Gucci perfume, and two car keys, which Wallace told a New Zealand radio show he had packed because he could not find his original keys.
Wallace claimed the thieves did not recognize him, adding that crime in London is “out of control.”
St Pancras a Hotspot for Organized Luggage Theft
The incident places Wallace among a string of high-profile victims targeted at the station. In 2025, Formula One world champion Jenson Button’s wife, Brittney, had her designer luggage stolen, containing more than £250,000 worth of luxury handbags and jewelry, including antique wedding jewelry and sentimental objects connected to the birth of her daughter, the Daily Mail reported. In another case, a member of Abu Dhabi’s royal family had £600,000 worth of jewelry stolen outside St Pancras.
Chief Inspector Dave Hodges of the Metropolitan Police told the Daily Mail that luggage theft in the King’s Cross area is “organized” crime, with thieves waiting to pounce on “distracted” tourists. “Unfortunately they are very good at what they do,” Hodges said. “They are watching… they are looking for luggage and when the opportune moment comes, they are taking it.”
Police and Chauffeurs Adapt to Rising Crime
Last month, the Metropolitan Police launched a major crackdown around King’s Cross and St Pancras railway stations following a dramatic increase in crime in the area, the Daily Mail revealed. Hodges told the paper that “luggage theft, anti-social behaviour, retail crime and homelessness in King’s Cross are all big challenges we are facing at the moment.”
In response, private chauffeurs are being trained to protect wealthy passengers when dropping off outside the stations. One chauffeur, Adnan, told the Daily Mail: “King’s Cross is part of the training where they say you have to be extra careful because people are taking luggage from the vehicles. Once the passenger gets in the car, you have to be careful. They could be TV stars, movie stars, wealthy people, high net worth individuals.” Other drivers described thieves pouncing while clients tip their driver and leave luggage momentarily unattended.
Jurisdiction Confusion Complicates Reporting
The Daily Mail’s investigation also exposed “jurisdiction” confusion between the Metropolitan Police and British Transport Police, which has left victims caught in bureaucratic red tape when reporting thefts at the station.
FAQ
What exactly was stolen from Shaun Wallace?
According to Wallace’s comments to a New Zealand radio show, the thieves took a bag containing his favorite blue suede shoes, Gucci perfume, and two car keys.
When did the theft occur?
The Daily Mail reported that the incident happened last month, following Wallace’s return from Paris where he had been filming an advertisement.
Are other celebrities being targeted at St Pancras?
Yes. The Daily Mail reported that in 2025, Jenson Button’s wife Brittney lost luggage containing over £250,000 in luxury goods, and a member of Abu Dhabi’s royal family had £600,000 in jewelry stolen outside the same station.
Wallace’s experience underscores the ongoing challenge facing law enforcement at one of London’s busiest international gateways, where organized theft rings target distracted travelers arriving from abroad.
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