Dozens Under Investigation as Rome Officers Accused of Stealing from Luxury Store
Police and Carabinieri allegedly involved in scheme at Coin outlet inside Termini station
Italian prosecutors are investigating 21 police officers stationed at Rome’s main railway hub, Roma Termini, over allegations that they stole luxury goods from a Coin department store through a manipulated checkout scheme.
According to Italian media, nine officers from the railway police and 12 members of the Carabinieri are among 44 individuals placed under investigation for aggravated theft. The inquiry was launched after the manager of the Coin store on Via Giolitti reported a significant inventory shortfall in February 2024.
The missing merchandise — valued at €184,000 — included branded jackets, bags, belts, shirts, perfume, cosmetics and other high-end items. Prosecutors said the losses represented more than 10% of the store’s revenue, far exceeding the typical 2–3% shrinkage rate recorded at other locations of the Coin chain.
Further internal checks uncovered an additional €94,000 in missing goods, including €45,000 from the perfumery department alone. In response, store management hired a private investigative agency, which installed additional surveillance cameras, particularly at the men’s department register. Footage from the new cameras allegedly exposed the scheme.
Investigators say a store cashier played a central role. The suspect is accused of removing anti-theft tags from selected items, concealing them near the counter and processing transactions for only a fraction of their actual value. Authorities believe the cashier kept part of the proceeds from the fraudulent sales.
Special software later installed at one checkout reportedly revealed discrepancies between recorded payments and the real value of goods leaving the store. Prosecutors say they identified around 90 suspected incidents between September and December 2024.
Among the officers under investigation are senior railway police officials, including a manager, commissioners, an inspector and other ranking personnel. The Carabinieri officers include a brigadier and several deputy brigadiers and corporals. All have been reassigned pending the outcome of the inquiry.
Each suspect is alleged to have been involved in one or two incidents. Andrea Falcetta, a lawyer representing eight of the officers, said his clients deny wrongdoing and described the accusations as exaggerated. He argued that the alleged incidents involved small amounts rather than the large sums reported in some media coverage.
Preliminary hearings for four of the suspects are scheduled for 27 February. The Coin store at Termini station closed in May 2025, according to local reports.
The investigation remains ongoing.