Envoy's wife fights off thief

MANILA, Philippines - The wife of Italy’s ambassador foiled an attempt to steal her wallet in Mandaluyong City the other day.

Silvana Novelli Fornari, 60, wife of Italian Ambassador Luca Fornari, grabbed her bag and held on to it when it was slashed by Molly Fuentes, 54, a cross-dressing hairdresser from San Pedro, Laguna.

In the scuffle, Fornari’s wallet with cash and documents fell out. Fuentes grabbed it and ran, but Fornari shouted, “She took my wallet,” pointing to the fleeing Fuentes.

The suspect was apprehended by security guard Rodel Silverio.

Fornari’s lawyer yesterday filed charges of robbery against Fuentes, who is now in jail.

Case officer PO3 Edison Plarison said Fornari, of Dasmariñas Village, Makati City, was inside the Harris Metal Recycler, a surplus depot store at the corner of Pioneer and Reliance streets, looking at solar lamps when the incident occurred.

Plarison said Fuentes, who was dressed in a black cloak and had a scarf around his neck, bumped Fornari from behind and slashed her shoulder bag.

Apparently aware of the modus operandi of robbers, Fornari grabbed her bag.

Silverio intercepted Fuentes and seized from him Fornari’s wallet containing P7,000 in cash and important documents.

Fuentes lamented that he thought Fornari was carrying a large sum of money.

Senior Superintendent Armando Bolalin, Mandaluyong City police chief, ordered Fuentes locked up in jail.