European Stars and Stripes (Newspaper) - November 22, 1992, Darmstadt, Hesse                                Not much sunny with hard driving thieves in Italy by Gary Miller Mediterranean Bureau violence is rare but theft is a chronic problem travellers visiting Italy face throughout the country. The form the stealing takes however varies from area to area. Caserma Ederle in Vicenza Home of the . Army a Southern european task Force is a frequent Stop for military vacationers on their Way to Venice an hour drive from the base. A there Isnit any reason in the world a person  go to Venice take Ordinary precautions and have an enjoyable time a sgt. Maj. Roger Leslie said. But in Vicenza those precautions should include extra attention to items left in cars which Are thieves preferred targets. They like to heist car stereos and components tape cassettes compact discs fuel coupons and other items that people commonly leave in the passenger area of their cars. But just transferring such items to the trunk wont safeguard them said Leslie a member of the task forces Provost marshal office. Travellers should be aware that such car break ins usually occur at night and most Likely to vehicles that arc parked in secluded areas Leslie said. That a one reason people stationed at Vicenza often take the train to Venice. A the Bottom line is take the same precautions As you would in any other Large City a Leslie said. Then again trains arc where tourists and their possessions Are often quickly parted. A we warn people not to sleep on trains a said Margaret Algor Misson assistant director of the Rome Uso. Tourists Riding in groups can catch some shut Eye As Long As one of them stays awake to stand watch she said. Like their train Riding Broth Cryn thieves in Rome Are after the same kinds of items wallets purses cameras camcorders and similar High value Low weight goodies. A a it a like any european City a Algermissen said of the eternal City. A a it a no worse than  the problem most visitors to Rome face is Petty crime such As Pic pocketing. Algermissen gave this example children will approach tourists and try to distract their victims with pieces of cardboard while they reach under the cardboard and go through the tourists pockets. She suggested people carry their Money passports and identification inside their clothes. A it makes things harder for them thieves and safer for you a Algermissen said. She added a Rome is a wonderful City and definitely Worth seeing. People just have to take  if tourists need to take precautions in Rome then they should probably ride around Naples in armoured vehicles. American motorists driving in Naples outskirts have been forced off the Road and robbed at gunpoint but such incidents have been rare. Far More common arc snatch and run robberies usually committed by pairs of youngsters on scooters motoring Down the City a streets and sidewalks grabbing purses and Oiler goodies As they go. A a they la Knock you Down and take your Money a said Petty officer 1st class Bob Cooper chief investigator at the Naples nasal support activity Security department. A when i go downtown i use a Wallet i can Wear around my ankle a Cooper said. Cooper had these suggestions for people planning crowds like this at St. Marks Cathedral in Venice Italy often done to have a prayer against  laundry list from the Art of the steal a Well dressed stranger in the Airport approaches you while you wait with your baggage. He looks lost. In broken English he asks if you can direct him to the nearest Bank or to the toilet. You turn to Point the Way. When you look Back you discover one of your bags is missing. So is he. Suddenly it begins to soak in. You realize you be been duped. The entire event was cleverly orchestrated. And you fell for it. That polite stranger distracted you while his partner in crime came up beside you and snatched one of your bags. Most shocking was it happened in Only a couple of seconds. Such incidents occur every Day at airports train stations hotels and other Busy places where people congregate. If you re like most travellers your bags May contain credit cards checks Cash or business contracts you brought for signing. Maybe you carry eyeglasses or prescription Medicine in them. If this has happened to you done to think you re alone. If it Hasni to done to feel smug. No one is immune. Today a thieves arc cunning and hard to catch. Security expert agree that the Best Way to help travellers avoid being victims is to show How these Shady characters operate. Thieves As a Rule work in pairs or threes. Done to expect them to look Down and out. More and More the Sleazy culprits look respectable. Here Are their techniques a Whitewash spilling Mustard or ice Cream on a persons clothing then helping clean it off. The thief gets your Wallet in the process or his companion runs off with any hand baggage you might have set Down. Some thieves Are bold enough to Cut the strap from a women s purse. A thanks for the help dropping a handful of coins onto the floor creating a diversion. You take your eyes off your bags just Long enough to never Sec them again or you help the thieves pick up their own tourists can watch their step not to mention Money w Hile they steal your possessions. Their wallets around the Spanish Steps in Rome. Continued on up amp a 6 to tour the Naples area a done to Wear jewelry and purses. A done to carry wallets in front pockets. A done to carry cameras and video cameras. A done to join crowds. Naples is a High crime area and people should be As cautious As they would be in a Large City in the states Cooper said. The difference Between thieves in Naples and american cities is that some Light fingered neapolitan return what they can to use Cooper said explaining that a some thieves arc Nice enough to put passports in  a november 22. 1992sunday a Page 5