Thief foiled by envoy's wife charged

MANILA, Philippines - A man who tried to steal the wallet of the Italian ambassador’s wife was charged with theft through slashing and malicious mischief by Mandaluyong City police yesterday.

Molly Fuentes, 54, was caught by a security guard after grabbing the wallet of Silvana Novelli Fornari, 60, wife of Italian ambassador Luca Fornari, while she was shopping at high-end surplus depot store Harris Metal Recycler Sunday.

Mandaluyong police criminal investigation head Chief Inspector Carlito Canlas said Fuentes, a hairdresser from San Pedro, Laguna, has posted bail for other theft cases in the city. He said they are still waiting for the prosecutor’s office to set bail for Fuentes’ latest theft charge.