US tourist targeted in Florence luxury watch robbery, two arrested

Two men have been arrested in Florence after a luxury watch worth around €88,000 was snatched from the wrist of an American tourist near Ponte Vecchio.

The suspects, aged 22 and 35, were arrested by officers from the Florence police flying squad on suspicion of aggravated robbery and resisting a public official. They were also reported in connection with another robbery that had taken place the previous day.

According to police, officers were carrying out a targeted operation against thefts and robberies in areas of the historic center particularly popular with tourists when they noticed the two men behaving suspiciously and began monitoring their movements.

The incident took place near Ponte Vecchio, close to an ATM. Investigators said the 35-year-old stopped near a man who was withdrawing cash, while the 22-year-old allegedly approached the tourist and suddenly snatched the watch from his wrist before running away.

The victim was a 62-year-old US citizen.

Police officers pursued the suspect through the city center. The chase ended in Via dei Leoni, where the 22-year-old allegedly entered a restaurant in an attempt to evade officers.

He was eventually stopped despite allegedly resisting arrest. Police recovered the €88,000 watch and returned it to its owner.

The 35-year-old, suspected of acting as a lookout during the robbery, was subsequently located and stopped in Borgo Santi Apostoli. Police said he also attempted to avoid the officers.

Second stolen watch recovered

Investigators later searched the B&B in Via del Casone where the two men were staying.

Inside, police found another watch, worth approximately €3,000, which investigators linked to a robbery committed the previous evening in Via della Vigna Nuova. The victim in that case was a 63-year-old Lebanese citizen.

Officers also found clothing that the suspects are believed to have been wearing during the earlier robbery. According to police, images from the city’s surveillance camera network provided further evidence linking them to the incident.

The two men were taken to Sollicciano prison pending judicial proceedings.

Under Italian law, the suspects are considered innocent until a final conviction.

(Cover photo via Wikipedia)

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