Trevi Fountain Fisher Finally Reeled In

Reuters ^ | August 8 2002

[2Trievers]

ROME (Reuters) - A homeless man who has long made his living fishing coins out of Rome's famed Trevi fountain was arrested Tuesday, police officials said.

AP Photo

Thousands of tourists stand with their backs to the Renaissance masterpiece and throw coins over their shoulders into the fountain every day in the hope they will return to the eternal city.

The money is supposed to go to charity but police said since 1968, Roberto Cercelletta, who could face theft charges, has waded into the water at Neptune's feet every morning to retrieve the coins left behind, amassing a small fortune.

"Every five days he bagged between 5-6,000 euros (dollars)," said Massimo Impronta, a local police chief, although in the low tourist season his daily catch was much smaller.

But after a flurry of media attention that embarrassed local officials, police moved in to put a stop to the pilfering.

When Cercelletta, 50, arrived at around 5:30 a.m. on Tuesday, the police were waiting for him, but the homeless man was undaunted. He plunged into the fountain and in less than 10 minutes had raked up 22 kg of coins worth about 1,000 euros.

It took several policemen to arrest Cercelletta, who could also face charges of resisting arrest and insulting public officials.

Police have fined him in the past, but because Cercelletta has no address and is unemployed, he has got away without paying. When police tried to stop him last week Cercelletta slashed his stomach with a razor in protest.

Rome's city authorities estimate the charities that are supposed to get the money have lost out on as much as 12,000 euros a month.

[2Trievers]

My poor friend Roberto ...

Man free to make a mint taking coins from the fountain

Roberto Cercelletta is shown sweeping coins with a broom in Rome's Trevi Fountain in this July 31, 2002 photo, despite being banned by the city last week from doing so. Cercelletta, 50, was arrested Tuesday Aug. 6, 2002 and taken into custody for investigation of theft and resisting arrest by police who spotted him collecting coins from the fountain. Italian news reports said when Cercelletta was arrested he had a bag of coins weighing nearly 50 pounds. Cercelletta has boasted about making a living by taking out hundreds of dollars worth of coins daily.(AP Photo/Corrado Giambalvo)

[Trust but Verify]

A victimless crime. Nice alliteration, though.

[aruanan]

When police tried to stop him last week Cercelletta slashed his stomach with a razor in protest.

Hey, Cercelletta, try your throat the next time.

[2Trievers]

Yes ... and he must have VERY clean tootsies! &;-)

[MrB]

Don't you all see?
This man is entitled to make money without working hard!

[Rebelbase]

" police said since 1968, Roberto Cercelletta, who could face theft charges, has waded into the water at Neptune's feet every morning to retrieve the coins left behind, amassing a small fortune. "

Since 1968....Thats 34 years, meaning the guy started when he was 16 years old. $1000/week over 34 years totals $1,768,000 since he started. He should have a nice retirement.

[2Trievers]

"It's thought he makes £100,000 a year from taking the cash superstitious tourists throw in to ensure their return to Rome."

Check out the original thread ...here. &;-)

[2Trievers]

Um ... I believe I would like to withdraw my proposal for those franchises we were discussing earlier ... &;-)

[2Trievers]

Yes, but since the bank gives you such a hard time these days turning in all that change, even if it is wrapped ... don't those auto-coin turn-in machines cost 6%? Maybe he can deduct that as a business expense when he finally gets his act together. &;-)