A family vacation in Venice turned into a dramatic showdown when an American tourist from North Carolina caught a teenage pickpocket and refused to let her go until police arrived.

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On August 14, 2025, Christina Cadieu Greene, a mother of eight from North Carolina, was exploring Venice with her husband when her backpack was unzipped and her purse stolen. Inside were her passport, credit cards, cash, AirPods and a metal water bottle, all essential for her Mediterranean cruise.

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Rather than panic, Greene quickly turned to technology. Using the “Find My” app linked to her AirPods, she tracked the stolen bag to a group of three teenage girls.

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Greene confronted the group and managed to grab one of the girls by her ponytail. Despite the teen’s screams and attempts to escape, Greene held on tightly. She declared:

“I have eight kids. You’re not getting to me.”

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The confrontation escalated when another girl struck Greene on the head with her own stolen bag, which contained the heavy metal water bottle. The blow left her with a gash and a black eye that required stitches.

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Greene held the struggling girl for nearly an hour until local police arrived, thanks to the help of her Airbnb host who called authorities. Two of the teens were arrested but later released, while the third fled to the airport with the stolen purse.

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In a surprising twist, the bag—minus $200 in cash and the AirPods—was eventually returned after being dropped at a U.S. liaison office.

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Despite the ordeal, Greene expressed gratitude for the compassion she experienced in Venice. Her Airbnb host protected her during the standoff and a local jeweler even gifted her a necklace as a gesture of kindness.

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Just days later, Greene and her husband continued their planned Mediterranean cruise, carrying both her passport and a wild story of resilience.

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