A quick-thinking American tourist on vacation in Italy turned the tables on a pickpocket after her passport and credit cards were snatched in a crowded square inside her carry bag.
According to local reports, the woman, who has not been identified, was enjoying a summer afternoon near one of Rome’s busiest attractions when she felt her bag ripped from her person.
Witnesses say she grabbed the would-be thief by her ponytail and refused to let go, demanding the return of her belongings. “She was determined—she just held on and kept saying, ‘Give me back my passport!’” one bystander told reporters.
The standoff drew the attention of nearby police and curious onlookers. Before officers arrived, the girl reportedly handed back the stolen items, including the tourist’s U.S. passport, credit cards, and cash.
Rome police later confirmed the incident, noting that organized pickpocket rings often use children or teenagers to target tourists in crowded areas. Authorities did not immediately release the girl’s age or whether charges would be filed.
The American traveler was shaken but grateful. “I wasn’t about to lose my passport in the middle of Italy,” she told local media. “I just reacted.”
"Little girl I've got 8 kids you're not getting to me."
Contrary to this persons report They DID NOT get away and the woman was not hit in the head with a water bottle. The police showed up within the hour.
Tourism officials continue to warn visitors to stay alert in busy piazzas, train stations, and transit hubs, where pickpocketing remains a persistent problem.