Stop, thief!
'Fermi' = FER-mee. Imperative plural of 'fermare'. 'Al ladro' = al LA-droh (stop thief — fixed expression).
When witnessing or being the victim of a bag snatch or theft in a public place.
'Al ladro!' is a fixed Italian exclamation, the traditional cry used to alert others to a thief. 'Fermi!' is the plural imperative of 'fermare' (to stop). Together they form the Italian equivalent of 'Stop, thief!' used to mobilise bystanders. Shouting loudly in Italian streets can cause passersby to attempt to stop a fleeing thief — though personal safety always comes first.
Mi hanno rubato la borsa!
They've stolen my bag!
Used after the theft has occurred — past tense, reporting to police/bystanders.
Fermate quell'uomo — ha rubato il mio telefono!
Stop that man — he stole my phone!
More specific — identifying the thief.
Borseggiatore! Attenzione!
Pickpocket! Watch out!
Warning others of a pickpocket — common alert in tourist areas.
Pickpocketing (borseggio) is particularly common in Italy in tourist hotspots such as Rome's Colosseum, Florence's Piazza del Duomo, Naples' historic centre, and on crowded public transport. The Polizia di Stato runs 'Commissariati online' to report theft digitally. Italy's pickpocketing gangs often target tourists — carry bags in front and keep phones in secure pockets.