Pinerolo – The Carabinieri of the Pinerolo Company have dealt a significant blow to petty crime. According to the provincial command in Turin, a 37-year-old man was arrested who is alleged to have systematically stolen from elderly citizens over a period of several months. The arrest was made on the basis of a court order issued after intensive investigations by the local authorities. The man is charged with at least 14 crimes allegedly committed between August and November last year in the Pinerolo area and neighboring municipalities.
Investigation successful after months of pursuit
The case began after an 80-year-old man filed a complaint last summer. The pensioner had €800 stolen from him at an ATM in Pinerolo after a stranger appeared to help him with the machine. Investigators from the operations department then meticulously evaluated the CCTV footage from various bank branches and were able to identify a recurring pattern.
Over a period of several months, the Carabinieri gathered statements and evidence that ultimately led to the identification of the man registered in Pinerolo. Thanks to close surveillance of public spaces, the officers were able to track the suspect's movements and link him to the incidents.
The sneaky scam at the ATM
The perpetrator's approach was as simple as it was effective: he lay in wait for elderly people living alone who wanted to withdraw cash. During the transaction, he approached his victims and skillfully distracted them. He often claimed that the ATM was defective or not working properly. In a moment of inattention, he would then grab the cash that had already been dispensed or steal the seniors' credit cards to use them illegally later.
Many of the victims only noticed the loss much too late or only wondered about unauthorized debits on their bank statements days later. The accused has been in the „Lorusso e Cutugno“ prison in Turin since December 23. He is charged with aggravated theft and the unlawful use of payment instruments. It should be emphasized that the presumption of innocence applies until a final conviction is handed down.
