A Romanian pickpocket was immobilized by tourists on the Rialto Bridge, after the disappearance of a wallet. Activist Monica Poli intervened to prevent violence.

A tense incident occurred on the Rialto Bridge in Venice, where a Romanian pickpocket, known to local authorities, was nearly lynched by a group of Asian tourists who accused him of stealing a wallet. The tension escalated quickly, but the intervention of activist Monica Poli, known as 'Lady Pickpocket', was crucial. She heard the shouts and found the suspect immobilized on the ground, trying to calm the spirits and calling the emergency service 112. The police later arrived and took control of the situation, and the suspect was reported, although the wallet was not found. Monica Poli emphasized that the thief is a well-known figure in Venice, having been mentioned in several previous investigations. The phenomenon of pickpocketing remains a major problem for the city, with new groups of thieves operating in tourist areas.