Elderly Cruise Passengers Charged in Italian Ring Theft

A senior couple from Chile, aged 77 and 87, has been officially charged by Italian authorities after allegedly stealing a €1,000 ring from a jewelry store in Messina before boarding the cruise ship Celebrity Constellation heading toward Naples.

According to police, the incident occurred last Sunday when the pair visited a local jeweler and asked to try on an expensive ring. While the shop owner was distracted, the couple reportedly slipped the item into their possession and quietly exited the store.

The store owner only realized the ring was missing later that afternoon and promptly notified the police. A joint investigation was launched by Messina patrol units and maritime border officers, who reviewed security footage and tracked down the suspects.

Authorities identified the individuals as cruise passengers who had already boarded the Celebrity Constellation, which was en route to Naples at the time. An alert was sent to the border police in Naples to prepare for action upon the ship’s docking.

Upon arrival in Naples, the couple was met by officers who conducted a search of their belongings. The stolen ring was discovered in their possession, and they were formally reported to the judicial authorities on charges of theft.