Venice pickpocket known as ‘Mika’ dies after alleged theft

A well-known pickpocket in Venice, identified by the nickname ‘Mika’, died following a sudden medical emergency shortly after allegedly participating in a theft.

The incident began around 12:30 PM on Wednesday, August 26, near Campo dei Frari. Mika and several accomplices reportedly targeted an elderly tourist couple, stealing a wallet from a backpack. The stolen items included cash, documents, and essential life-saving medications required by one of the victims.

Approximately thirty minutes later, around 1:00 PM, Mika was seen walking in the Zattere area near the Giudecca Canal. He suddenly collapsed near Palazzo Cosulich. Despite attempts at resuscitation by emergency medical services using a defibrillator and cardiac massage, he could not be revived and was pronounced dead at the scene. While a heart attack is the primary hypothesis, official investigations are underway to confirm the exact cause of death and reconstruct the details of the theft.