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(CNN) — Often it is the vacationers behaving badly in Italy, however this time three males accused of crimes outdoors the Colosseum are locals.
The lads have been arrested on suspicion of extortion after dressing up as gladiators and centurions and demanding cash from vacationers for his or her self-styled “imperial selfies” — which they’d requested the vacationers to take.
“The modus operandi was similar,” they wrote. Males dressed as gladiators or centurions would allegedly invite their vacationer victims to take an “imperial selfie” with them outdoors the Colosseum, after which demand cash. Generally “violence and threats” had been used.
One Italian vacationer was requested for 40 euros; when he stated no, two of the suspects surrounded him, threatened to beat him up, and allegedly extorted 150 euros from them.
An Irish vacationer who refused to pay up, saying they’d no cash, was apparently marched to a close-by ATM the place they jostled them, police stated. The sufferer withdrew 200 euros and handed it over, just for the lads to demand extra, and power them to extract one other 50 euros.
Helped by Rome’s Public Prosecutor’s Workplace, the police recognized the three males and have obtained a precautionary measure concerning them. Two have been positioned below home arrest and one held in custody.
Investigations are nonetheless at a preliminary stage.
Rome’s faux gladiators — who’re in reality normally dressed as centurions (troopers) reasonably than gladiators — have lengthy been an issue, with many vacationers snapping pictures with them blissfully unaware that they are going to be charged. It’s unlawful to make vacationers pay for pictures, although some appear to have not obtained the memo.
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