Rare closure has been achieved for Antonio Smiglio, whose family's home was targeted by thieves four decades ago. A dark grey Garelli moped stolen from outside his residence in Vado Ligure, a seaside town in north-western Italy's Liguria region, has finally been recovered and returned to its rightful owner.
The breakthrough occurred when officers conducting a routine roadside inspection in Volpiano, a suburb of Turin, noticed the 64-year-old man riding the scooter without a licence plate. Americo Celani, commander of the Carabinieri in Volpiano, explained that this irregularity indicated "something was wrong," which ultimately proved to be the case.
Police were able to confirm the moped's identity by cross-referencing details on its frame with various past reports. Commander Celani stated, "So through that we traced the fact that this moped had been stolen 42 years ago." The man found riding the vehicle was subsequently charged with possessing a stolen item, although authorities clarified he was not the original thief.
Smiglio recounted his disbelief when police contacted him. He told La Repubblica that he "immediately thought it was a joke," reflecting on the sentimental value of the moped, which had been a 16th birthday present to himself in August 1984. At the time, without licence plates, stealing a moped "was a bit like stealing a bike," Smiglio explained, recalling the sadness he felt at its loss.
Initially apprehensive about collecting the vehicle, fearing it might be in disrepair, Smiglio was relieved to find it in good condition. After a few necessary repairs, he intends to ride his beloved moped once more along the Ligurian coast. The theft of the Garelli, which is now considered a vintage vehicle, occurred in December 1984, when several mopeds were stolen from where Smiglio had securely locked them outside his home.