90-Year-Old Serial Thief Apprehended in Rome with Foil-Lined Backpack
Rome, February 14 – A 90-year-old serial thief, with a criminal record stretching back to 1974, was caught yesterday evening in Rome after attempting to steal over 1,100 euros worth of merchandise. The Colombian-born man, who is homeless, was arrested around 6:30 PM after triggering an alarm at a well-known shopping gallery on Via dei Due Macelli.
A Lifelong Criminal Career
Carabinieri from the San Lorenzo in Lucina station intervened after a security guard noticed the elderly man hastily leaving the store following the alarm. Despite repeated calls to stop, the suspect initially tried to flee before being escorted back for identification. Investigations revealed that the man was far from an amateur, employing a sophisticated method to bypass store security systems.
The thief was carrying a backpack meticulously lined internally with aluminum foil and packing tape. This ingenious stratagem was specifically designed to elude the electronic sensors of shop alarms. This technique underscores his long and varied criminal history, which has seen him operate across Italy under various aliases, including that of a Yugoslavian citizen born in Sarajevo.
Valuable Haul Recovered
Inside the foil-lined backpack and the pockets of his jacket, officers discovered a haul exceeding 1,100 euros in value. The stolen items included two pairs of designer glasses, a perfume, a wallet, and other accessories pilfered from nearby shops on Via del Corso and Via del Babuino. Among the recovered goods was also a watch with a leather strap and a heart-shaped golden case, for which the man could not provide a legitimate explanation of possession.
All the merchandise was successfully recovered and returned to the respective store managers. The foil-lined backpack, considered a fraudulent tool pertinent to the crime, was seized by the military police as evidence. This incident highlights the persistent nature of his criminal activities, which have spanned decades and various regions of Italy.
Extensive Criminal Record Since 1974
Further inquiries into the suspect’s background revealed a criminal curriculum spanning half a century of Italian history. His first police mugshot dates back to 1974, making him a long-standing acquaintance of law enforcement. Over the years, his record has accumulated numerous charges for aggravated theft, receiving stolen goods, and even an improper robbery committed at Rome Termini station in 2021.
Despite his extensive history of offenses, which have seen him operating in almost every quadrant of the capital, the 89-year-old was once again reported in a state of freedom by the Carabinieri. This latest arrest adds another chapter to his remarkable and lengthy criminal career, showcasing his unwavering commitment to a life of crime despite his advanced age.
This case serves as a reminder of the challenges faced by law enforcement in dealing with persistent offenders, even those in their senior years. The ingenuity displayed in bypassing security systems also highlights the constant need for vigilance and adaptation in retail security measures.
