English tourist robbed in Florence, suspect arrested within minutes

An English tourist was robbed in the heart of Florence, but the thief was caught shortly after thanks to the quick reaction of the Municipal Police.

The incident happened on Wednesday in Via dei Georgofili, near the Uffizi Gallery. A man approached the tourist, who was walking with his wife, and violently tore a gold chain from his neck before running away. The couple immediately chased the thief through the narrow streets of the city center and reached Chiasso de’ Baroncelli, where a Municipal Police patrol was stationed for routine checks.

Officers stopped the suspect and found the stolen gold chain hidden in his underwear. The victim filed a report, and the man, identified as a North African national with several prior offenses, was arrested and brought before the court in a fast-track hearing on Thursday morning.

The arrest was confirmed, and the suspect has been transferred to Sollicciano prison pending the next hearing, scheduled for October 31.

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