Venice: Three violent 'porters' arrested for robbing tourists at station
Officers from the Flying Squad and Railway Police arrested three individuals who were stealing luggage from foreign visitors and then demanding money in exchange for its return, often using force.
Venice: Three violent 'porters' arrested for robbing tourists at station
A joint operation by the Mobile Squad, San Marco Police Station and the Veneto Railway Police resulted in the arrest of three men accused of running an illegal luggage-carrying racket targeting tourists. The investigation revealed an aggressive modus operandi carried out in areas surrounding Santa Lucia station.
The trio operated as fake baggage handlers. They would approach foreign visitors, often just after they had disembarked from the train, and with threatening behaviour seize their suitcases. To recover them, victims had to pay sums of money unilaterally decided by the criminals. If they refused, they would face shoving and beatings.
The focal point of the criminal activity was the Calatrava Bridge, where the three would move about searching for vulnerable targets. The service was not requested: it was imposed through violence.
In parallel, investigators executed another restrictive measure against one of the arrested men and an accomplice. The two must also answer for a robbery committed in January at a train stopped at Venice station.
The search continues: one member of the gang is still at large. The authorities urge anyone who has experienced similar incidents to file a report.
Source: Polizia di Stato
Source: Google News IT — Crime (it)