Pickpocketing is a well-known risk in many European tourist hubs, but in Italy this summer, two separate incidents have shown that visitors aren’t always willing to be easy targets.
From Florence to Venice, frustrated tourists have taken matters into their own hands when thieves struck, and the dramatic scenes were all caught on camera.
Husband Defends His Wife in Florence
In Florence, a chaotic moment unfolded in the bustling Piazza di San Lorenzo, a popular square surrounded by souvenir stalls and the city’s oldest cathedral.
A woman tried to snatch a tourist’s backpack but didn’t get far.
The victim’s husband quickly leapt into action, grabbing the alleged thief by the hair and holding her firmly until she dropped the stolen bag.
As she struggled, the woman could be heard shouting “I’m pregnant” in Spanish, hoping to escape the grip of the furious husband and another bystander who clutched her arm.
But the crowd didn’t let up.
A second pickpocket appeared, demanding her release, while another tourist shouted for the police.
Eventually, the suspects were arrested after officers arrived at the scene.
Social Media Captures the Chaos
Footage of the incident spread online, posted by the account firenze_cronaca_pickpocket.
The caption explained that the two women had been working together to snatch the tourist’s belongings.
But thanks to the quick reaction of the husband, they were stopped.
The post noted that police arrived just in time to take the pair away, preventing what could have been a successful theft.
A Similar Story in Venice
The Florence scuffle wasn’t an isolated case.
Just days earlier in Venice, another dramatic encounter showed how determined tourists can be when thieves strike.
American traveler Christina Cadieu Greene made headlines after physically holding onto a teenage pickpocket who had stolen her purse, which contained not only cash but also her passport and credit cards.
A Mother’s Unshakable Grip
Greene’s daughter, Karis McElroy, later shared the story on TikTok, explaining how her mother realized her bag had been opened while navigating through crowds on the way to their Airbnb.
Using the “Find My” app linked to her AirPods, Greene tracked her belongings and confronted three girls suspected of the theft.
In the chaos that followed, Greene grabbed one of the girls by her ponytail and refused to let go, even as the teenager struggled and screamed.
At one point, Greene was heard telling her firmly: “You stole my purse with my passport in it. You are not getting away. I’m not stopping, kid. I have eight kids, you don’t get to me.”
Police and Consequences
McElroy explained that while her mother held the suspect tight, her stepfather chased down the rest of the stolen items until the police arrived.
The teenage girls were eventually charged with theft, but local reports say they were back on the streets just two days later, mingling among tourists as if nothing had happened.
A Growing Pattern Across Tourist Hotspots
Both Florence and Venice are known for pickpocketing, and these recent clips highlight just how bold thieves have become.
But they also reveal a new reality—many tourists are no longer willing to stand by quietly when targeted.
Instead, some are fighting back, whether by holding on to a thief’s hair or using tech to track stolen goods.
What Happens Next?
These incidents raise an important question: should tourists continue taking such risks to protect their belongings, or is it better to let the police handle it?
For now, the videos show one thing clearly—petty thieves may not always have the upper hand, especially when frustrated travelers decide they’ve had enough.
