A holidaymaker from North Carolina turned the tables on a group of suspected pickpockets in Venice after her purse and passport were stolen, dramatically grabbing one teenager by the ponytail until police arrived.
Footage of the incident, shared on TikTok by the woman’s daughter Karis McElroy, shows her mother clutching the 14-year-old suspect by the hair as crowds gathered around. “I have eight kids, you’re not getting to me,” the woman is heard saying as the girl screamed.
The video has since gone viral on social media.
According to Karis, her mother and stepfather realised something was wrong after they were jostled on a narrow bridge while walking to their Airbnb. Her backpack had been unzipped and a purse containing cash, credit cards, AirPods, a passport, and even a metal water bottle was missing. Using the “Find My Friends” feature linked to her AirPods, they tracked the stolen bag to three girls nearby.
“She goes and chases them down, and she grabs one of the girls by her ponytail and does not let go. Two of the girls stay, one of the girls runs away with my mom’s purse,” Karis explained in a follow-up video.
As per Fox 11 Los Angeles, the confrontation escalated when one of the teenagers swung the stolen bag at the tourist, hitting her in the head. The water bottle inside caused a deep gash, leaving her bleeding and with a black eye. She was later treated in hospital and required stitches.
Italian newspaper Il Messaggero reported that the 14-year-old held by the ponytail was arrested but released on bail just two days later.
Another girl who fled was eventually stopped at an airport, where police recovered the tourist’s passport and credit cards, though her cash and AirPods were not returned, reported the New York Post.
Despite the ordeal, Karis said her mother praised the kindness of Venetians, mentioning that their Airbnb host stood by her during the confrontation and a nearby jeweller even gifted her a necklace after the attack.
The couple, who were beginning a Mediterranean cruise from Venice, have continued their trip. “She didn’t care about the other stuff in the bag, but she just at least wanted her passport so she could get home,” Karis said.
Footage of the incident, shared on TikTok by the woman’s daughter Karis McElroy, shows her mother clutching the 14-year-old suspect by the hair as crowds gathered around. “I have eight kids, you’re not getting to me,” the woman is heard saying as the girl screamed.
The video has since gone viral on social media.
Daughter shares the recap of what happened to her mom in Venice, Italy
— TaraBull (@TaraBull808) August 25, 2025
🎥 karismcelroy pic.twitter.com/68uguftJfk
According to Karis, her mother and stepfather realised something was wrong after they were jostled on a narrow bridge while walking to their Airbnb. Her backpack had been unzipped and a purse containing cash, credit cards, AirPods, a passport, and even a metal water bottle was missing. Using the “Find My Friends” feature linked to her AirPods, they tracked the stolen bag to three girls nearby.
“She goes and chases them down, and she grabs one of the girls by her ponytail and does not let go. Two of the girls stay, one of the girls runs away with my mom’s purse,” Karis explained in a follow-up video.
As per Fox 11 Los Angeles, the confrontation escalated when one of the teenagers swung the stolen bag at the tourist, hitting her in the head. The water bottle inside caused a deep gash, leaving her bleeding and with a black eye. She was later treated in hospital and required stitches.
Italian newspaper Il Messaggero reported that the 14-year-old held by the ponytail was arrested but released on bail just two days later.
Another girl who fled was eventually stopped at an airport, where police recovered the tourist’s passport and credit cards, though her cash and AirPods were not returned, reported the New York Post.
Despite the ordeal, Karis said her mother praised the kindness of Venetians, mentioning that their Airbnb host stood by her during the confrontation and a nearby jeweller even gifted her a necklace after the attack.
The couple, who were beginning a Mediterranean cruise from Venice, have continued their trip. “She didn’t care about the other stuff in the bag, but she just at least wanted her passport so she could get home,” Karis said.
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