Authorities in Venice have confiscated property worth 200,000 euros from a woman suspected of stealing from passers-by for many years.
The investigation, reported by ANSA, suggests the woman accumulated this wealth through a series of thefts.
Investigation Details
The suspect came to the attention of law enforcement after purchasing land and real estate with funds of unknown origin totaling approximately 200,000 euros.
The investigation revealed that she allegedly obtained this money through thefts dating back to 2017.
Investigators found that the woman committed at least 17 "professional thefts" from passers-by, targeting valuables and expensive watches using distraction techniques or "hugging."
She is also suspected of a series of thefts from commercial establishments.
The woman is now under special supervision for a period of one and a half years, and her acquired property has been confiscated as a preventive measure.
Venice's Tourist Challenges
Venice, one of the most popular tourist destinations in the world, has faced increasing challenges due to the high volume of visitors.
This year, the city introduced experimental paid entry for one-day tourists and implemented new rules to control the impact of tourism.
These include banning loudspeakers and limiting tourist group sizes to 25 people.