Knife robbery in Catania: Tunisian arrested for scooter theft and attempted extortion
A Tunisian citizen has been arrested in Catania for robbing a Bangladeshi man of his electric scooter, threatening him with a knife and subsequently attempting extortion.
Arrested in Catania for robbery and attempted extortion of scooter
The State Police have detained a Tunisian citizen accused of robbing a Bangladeshi man of his electric scooter in the centre of Catania, near Piazza Turi Ferro. This is reported by Google News IT — Crime (it), citing the Catania Police Headquarters.
According to investigators' reconstruction, the Tunisian approached the victim and snatched the scooter's handlebar from his hand, risking causing him to fall to the ground. When the man attempted to resist, the attacker drew a knife from his pocket and threatened him. The victim then gave up, whilst the Tunisian moved away aboard the stolen vehicle, travelling along nearby streets.
An immediate report was made to the Operations Room of Catania Police Headquarters, and a patrol from the rapid response squad intervened at the scene. The officers collected a statement from the victim, who indicated the direction the attacker had taken.
The Tunisian was located shortly afterwards on Via Giovanni di Prima, still aboard the stolen scooter. At that moment he was attempting to carry out the extortion practice known as "cavallo di ritorno": he was offering to return the vehicle to a friend of the victim in exchange for a sum of money.
After the necessary checks, the man was arrested for aggravated robbery and attempted extortion. The presumption of innocence remains valid until final conviction. On the orders of the Public Prosecutor on duty at the Catania Court, the Tunisian was taken to prison pending a validation hearing before the judge.
Source: Google News IT — Crime (it)