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Fake priest blesses police arresting him
ROME, (UPI) -- A Venezuelan thief disguised as a priest, allegedly to rob a Catholic college, blessed Rome police who ruined his chance to steal antique books, officials say.
The 52-year-old fake cleric mingled Saturday at Rome's Venerable English College, a seminary for English and Welsh priests, before heading to its library and allegedly taking 25,000 euros ($30,558.75) worth of books, ANSA reported Monday.
When the man could not explain what he was doing in the library, the college's vice rector became suspicious. Upon further questioning the fake priest tried to flee but was stopped before he could make off with the books, ANSA said.
Even after police caught him, the man kept in character making the sign of the cross to bless his captors who took him in custody. Police knew the man because of other attempts to steal antique books and works of art, ANSA said.
ROME, (UPI) -- A Venezuelan thief disguised as a priest, allegedly to rob a Catholic college, blessed Rome police who ruined his chance to steal antique books, officials say.
The 52-year-old fake cleric mingled Saturday at Rome's Venerable English College, a seminary for English and Welsh priests, before heading to its library and allegedly taking 25,000 euros ($30,558.75) worth of books, ANSA reported Monday.
When the man could not explain what he was doing in the library, the college's vice rector became suspicious. Upon further questioning the fake priest tried to flee but was stopped before he could make off with the books, ANSA said.
Even after police caught him, the man kept in character making the sign of the cross to bless his captors who took him in custody. Police knew the man because of other attempts to steal antique books and works of art, ANSA said.