Rome, December 11, 2025 – Two pickpockets, a 37-year-old and a 53-year-old of Romanian origin, have been arrested by the State Police in Rome on charges of aggravated theft, receiving stolen goods, and fraudulent use of credit cards. The arrests followed a lengthy investigation coordinated by the Public Prosecutor’s Office in Rome. According to investigators, the two men primarily operated within the Gemelli Polyclinic, targeting elderly visitors and patients.
Investigation Coordinated by the Rome Public Prosecutor’s Office
As reported by the State Police, the operation originated from an initial complaint of a crime committed in 2023. Subsequently, agents from the Monte Mario Police Station began a meticulous analysis of complaints filed over the past two years, successfully linking 20 incidents to the two suspects. Almost all of these incidents occurred within the grounds of the Gemelli Polyclinic, a location frequently visited by people from across Italy.
The Modus Operandi of the Pickpockets
Investigations revealed that the two men employed a simple yet effective method: they would approach their victims, predominantly elderly individuals, along the pedestrian paths leading to the polyclinic. They would then distract them with a slight push and, taking advantage of the ensuing confusion, would snatch their wallets. To prevent victims from promptly blocking their payment cards, the perpetrators would immediately proceed to the nearest ATM to make substantial withdrawals, attempting further purchases before returning home.
Investigation and Reconstruction of Events
The investigative activities, coordinated by the Rome Public Prosecutor’s Office, relied on a meticulous analysis of hundreds of hours of security camera footage from the hospital area and its surroundings. These images were systematically cross-referenced with data from law enforcement databases, allowing for the reconstruction of the suspects’ movements and actions. Only one of the alleged incidents occurred at a train station, with all others taking place within the hospital premises.
Complicity and Movements
Findings indicated that the two suspects regularly traveled from Ladispoli to Rome using rental cars, sometimes with the assistance of occasional accomplices. The investigators’ in-depth knowledge of the suspects’ modus operandi, developed over years, proved crucial to the success of the investigation.
Precautionary Measure and House Arrest
Following the conclusion of the investigation, the Public Prosecutor’s Office in Rome requested and obtained a precautionary measure from the Preliminary Investigations Judge against the two main suspects, both of whom were already known to law enforcement for similar prior offenses. Agents from the Monte Mario Police Station executed the order, locating the two men at their respective homes in Ladispoli, where they were placed under house arrest and will remain at the disposal of the judicial authorities.
This case highlights the ongoing efforts of law enforcement to combat crime in public spaces, particularly those frequented by vulnerable individuals. The successful apprehension of these pickpockets brings a measure of relief to the community and underscores the importance of vigilance and prompt reporting of suspicious activities.
Source: https://www.virgilio.it/notizie/il-caso-dei-furti-al-gemelli-di-roma-ladri-arrestati-cosi-hanno-derubato-pazienti-e-visitatori-per-due-anni-1721609
