A furious American tourist seized a teenage “pickpocket” by her hair, promising not to let her escape, before police arrested the thief in Italy.
The unnamed holidaymaker noticed the teen criminal gunning for her purse, which contained her passport and money, before she grabbed her hair and dragged her in front of a crowd of onlookers.
“You are not getting away. I’m not stopping, kid. You are not getting away.”
When the girl’s alleged accomplice threatened to call the police, the American said: “Let’s get the police and maybe I’ll get my passport back.”
An onlooker then called the authorities.
Local reports claim that when the “pickpocket” saw the police, she began using her mobile phone as a weapon and broke free by repeatedly hitting the tourist on the head.
A furious US tourist seized a teenage ‘pickpocket’ by her hair, promising not to let her escape
|
TIKTOK
This caused an open wound on the American’s temple which bled heavily and required medical attention.
The two young suspects, both of whom are minors, were taken to the local police station aftert resisting arrest.
They were charged with theft and released on bail.
It is believed the pair were seen among large groups of tourists on the streets just two days later.
MORE NEWS FROM ITALY:
The two young suspects, both of whom are minors, were taken to the local police station having originally resisted arrest
|
TIKTOK
Footage of the incident went viral on social media, with many supporting the tourist’s actions.
One user said: “Super good job lady. Hold the ponytail tight until the police come. And make them empty their bags and pants.”
And officials have warned that gangs in Venice are increasingly trying to avoid police crackdowns by grooming children to work as pickpockets.
Adult pickpockets, particularly women, already use legal loopholes to operate with little concern for the law.
Officials have warned that gangs in Venice are increasingly trying to avoid police crackdowns by grooming children to work as pickpockets
|
GETTY
Gianni Franzoi, the Deputy Chief of the local police, told Secolo d’Italia: “There are now more female pickpockets, drawn to the city by a bubble of legal impunity.”
He added that the law “stipulates, in addition to a formal complaint, the injured parties’ presence at the hearing” is necessary for the pickpocket to be convicted.
Mr Fronzoi said: “The victims are mostly foreigners, and they hardly ever come to the hearing. So, there are no trials and no convictions.”
Under-14s in Italy cannot bear criminal responsibility – and gangs are increasingly recruiting “baby borseggiatori”, or “baby pickpockets” as a result.
Luigi Brugnaro, the Mayor of Venice, said last week: “We cannot resign ourselves to the normalisation of crimes that damage people’s lives and the city’s image on a daily basis.
“We need urgent corrective measures. The Government has to listen to local communities and guarantee urban security.”
Monica Poli, a spokeswoman for Cittadini Non Distratti (Undistracted Citizens) said: “The problem is that there are many minors under 13, including girls” who are pickpockets.
Ms Poli added: “What drives us forward is above all to defend the most vulnerable groups, namely the elderly and disabled, who are the preferred victims of these increasingly violent pickpockets, and we do so out of civic duty.”
