Italian authorities have arrested a gang of 12 ‘professional thieves’ after they targeted travellers at Rome’s Fiumicino Airport.
Another seven people are under investigation in connection with the gang, which also operated in rental car parks and at the main train station Termini, police claimed.
The gang of Algerian males, dubbed the “commuter” thieves, live in France and Spain and operated largely in Italy.
“Their method consisted of renting cheap accommodation near Termini train station; choosing properties that failed to comply with legal requirements to register guest details.
“The men would then regularly fly into Fiumicino Airport in disguise and target rich Arab, Japanese or Russian businessmen” claimed the police.
Footage released by Italian police shows the thieves in action over the course of just a few hours, during which they would have stolen up to €50,000 worth of goods and personal belongings.
