Sulmona: Man facing trial for alleged restaurant thefts

A 61-year-old man from Bugnara, identified as Giovanni Lo Stracco, is facing trial following allegations of stealing handbags from restaurant patrons in the Sulmona area. The charges stem from an incident in January where the man allegedly snatched a customer's bag containing documents and cash in a crowded dining room.

Investigators used internal security camera footage to identify the suspect, leading to his report to the Sulmona Public Prosecutor's Office. Authorities believe this incident is part of a larger pattern, as the man is accused of approximately thirty similar thefts over the past ten months.

In response to the escalation of these crimes, authorities have issued a mandatory expulsion order for the man from Sulmona, prohibiting his return to the area. His first court hearing is scheduled for February 2027.