ladies, be careful of your bags
By dagami
@dagami (1158)
Rome, Italy
April 18, 2013 4:03pm CST
as i was going to work today, two elderly ladies boarded the train. they were talking in english so i pressumed they were tourists. there are always plenty of them in this route since this is the one that goes to the vatican.
i noticed a girl, (she boarded the train with them) around 13-15 years old, trying to open one of the ladies' bag. she had a jacket on her arm and she was using this to hide what she was doing. since i was seated and i could see her hands' movements but the girl was between me and the owner of the bag so i couldn't warn the lady directly. i tapped the other lady and said, "please be careful of your bags". she looked at me and then i indicated her friend. the girl glared at me and hurriedly got off in the next stop. the ladies thanked me.
all over the subway stations tourists can these see warnings - "beware of pickpockets". the culprits are usually minors preying on tourists. people who take the trains regularly know them by sight. they do their dirty job during the rush hours when the trains are full. the police have a hard time because they are minors.
fortunately, the lady didn't lose anything. some tourists however, have become victims of these children. their "job" must be lucrative otherwise they won't be there everyday.
have you ever experienced something similar to this incident? what did you do?
2 people like this
7 responses
@lkbooi (16070)
• Malaysia
21 Apr 13
Hi dagami, thanks very much for sharing the story to remind us to be careful with our valuable belongings in public area 
Such similar situation mostly happens in crowded area especially in like public transports as well as as street stores at tourist sites. They purposely choose these places for they wouldn't be noticed easily. If so it's easy for them to escape being caught running away hiding in the crowd.
The gold necklace my husband's third sister was stolen by a culprit wearing a cap with appearance half hidden. When she realized her necklace was stolen and shouted for help the culprit already safe away from the bus. Yeah, they are well train to earn their living in such disgusting way 
They always do this a short while right before the bus going to move. Since then she never likes to wear any valuable jewelry.
Happy posting 
Such similar situation mostly happens in crowded area especially in like public transports as well as as street stores at tourist sites. They purposely choose these places for they wouldn't be noticed easily. If so it's easy for them to escape being caught running away hiding in the crowd.
The gold necklace my husband's third sister was stolen by a culprit wearing a cap with appearance half hidden. When she realized her necklace was stolen and shouted for help the culprit already safe away from the bus. Yeah, they are well train to earn their living in such disgusting way They always do this a short while right before the bus going to move. Since then she never likes to wear any valuable jewelry.
Happy posting 1 person likes this
@teotimoponcerosacena (1551)
• Philippines
19 Apr 13
Sorry to tell you that I have less patient to people like this specially if I observed they are well trained on doing things. I experienced one but I didn't stop her and him doing I pretend that I don't noticed them. The victim was seem tired. I was able to keep videos on how it was done and how they did it. The victim cried and cried so I assist her. We went to the police station but I was not convinced by the response of the Police. I advice the lady to go with me and hunt the perpetrators. We saw the perpetrators holding the stolen cellphones of the lady chatting with one of a person on authority happily. We confronted them showed the videos and the stolen items was returned. The following day I still saw the two doing the same things and I am sure the next day after they are already harmless sorry for that they deserved it.
1 person likes this
@dagami (1158)
• Rome, Italy
20 Apr 13
unfortunately, there are some corrupt policemen who are the bosses of these criminals. it was good that you took a video of the whole incident. sometimes it's also hard to intervene directly because these criminals have arms with them. they will get mad at you and might hurt you.
@lelin1123 (15595)
• Puerto Rico
19 Apr 13
One day years ago while shopping with my one year old child two females approached me. They were commenting on how beautiful my little girl was. They were hanging around for a bit to long when I got suspicion. That is when I noticed one of the girls was trying to get in my bad that I was carrying on my shoulder. I yelled to get out of here. Then I found the manager and quietly explained to him what almost happened to me. He went looking for them and found them but they ran out of the store dropping a bunch of things that they had under their shirts. I was so upset and scared but glad they didn't get anything from my bag. Nowadays I only carry a bank card in my pocket and a small makeup purse that stays in the car.
1 person likes this
@Cutie18f (9546)
• Philippines
18 Apr 13
I had seen a man before across the street from where I was downtown trying to put his hand inside the bags of ladies/women who were busy flagging a cab. I was standing across the street when this was happening. I looked around for police, and I think the man saw me seeing him doing this and when I was approaching a police officer to make a report, he just discovered.
1 person likes this
@dagami (1158)
• Rome, Italy
19 Apr 13
when the girl glared at me, i felt shivers down my spine. i am a bit afraid that she will recognize me the next time she sees me. she might point me out to her adult companions who might do me harm. most italians just ignore these incidences on the train. they don't bother to warn the would-be victim.
@cherigucchi (14876)
• Philippines
19 Apr 13
I have seen in the news lately that there are some people who lost their bags in different places specifically in the food courts and restaurants. Thieves do not only work singlehandedly. They also have their contacts and other people who help them carry out their dirty tricks. Most victims are women who sometimes neglect their valuable things.
We should always take care of our belonging wherever we go because some people take advantage when we let go our guard even in just a few second.
@emily7339 (1337)
• Malaysia
19 Apr 13
I am very happy that you saw the girl's bad deed . If otherwise, the victim will be in trouble. There is a posibility that the syndicates may be using these minors to work for them. Everyone needs to be alert as far as pickpocket is concerned. They are every where in the crowded public places 
. But these culprit always perform their "job" very tactfully. There are always in the "dark" and can get away easily and swiftly 
.
. If otherwise, the victim will be in trouble. There is a posibility that the syndicates may be using these minors to work for them. Everyone needs to be alert as far as pickpocket is concerned. They are every where in the crowded public places . But these culprit always perform their "job" very tactfully. There are always in the "dark" and can get away easily and swiftly . 1 person likes this
@ctryhnny (3460)
• United States
18 Apr 13
I never take a purse with me when I go out. I put my money, cell phone and keys in my pockets. It's going to be harder to do when summer is here so i'll hve to make sure I have enough pockets or take less with me. Many sr. citizens in my area have had their purses snatched while walking down the street. I won't give the thieves a chance.
