A 51-year-old Scottish tourist was charged with grand theft after being caught with six stones illegally taken from Pompeii Archaeological Park and hidden in his backpack. The seizure was possible thanks to an effective synergy between a tour guide visiting the site, Park staff, private security guards, and Carabinieri from the Scavi fixed post.
It was in the evening when the guide, busy accompanying a group of foreign visitors among the domus of the city buried by Vesuvius in 79 A.D., noticed the man picking up fragments of flooring near the basilica and placing them in his backpack. Without hesitation, the guide alerted Park Management and the security service at Piazza Esedra, describing precisely how the man was dressed.
The report allowed the Carabinieri to be alerted, who shortly afterwards stopped the tourist outside the site, near the EAV station at Villa dei Misteri. Five stone fragments and a piece of brick were found in his backpack, all of which had been collected illegitimately. The material was recovered and returned to the Archaeological Park, while the man was charged.
“Kudos and thanks to such an attentive tour guide, our excellent custodians and guards, and the Carabinieri for this synergistic intervention to protect our heritage,” said Pompeii Archaeological Park director Gabriel Zuchtriegel.
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| Pompeii, Scottish tourist hides six stones in backpack. Charged with grand theft |
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