Italian police arrest Putin namesake

Published: Sept. 5, 2008 at 7:49 PM
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Former Russian President Vladimir Putin answers deputies' questions at the State Duma parliament in Moscow on May 8, 2008. Russian legislators confirmed Vladimir Putin as prime minister Thursday, capping a carefully engineered recast of Russia's leadership a day after he handed the presidency to his protege Dmitry Medvedev. (UPI Photo/Anatoli Zhdanov)
Former Russian President Vladimir Putin answers deputies' questions at the State Duma parliament in Moscow on May 8, 2008. Russian legislators confirmed Vladimir Putin as prime minister Thursday, capping a carefully engineered recast of Russia's leadership a day after he handed the presidency to his protege Dmitry Medvedev. (UPI Photo/Anatoli Zhdanov) | Enlarge Enlarge
RICCIONE, Italy, Sept. 5 (UPI) -- Police in Italy said they thought a Russian shoplifting suspect was giving a fake name when he identified himself as Vladimir Putin -- but he was on the level.

Officers said they checked the 30-year-old suspect's passport and found he shares his name with the Russian prime minister, ANSA reported Friday.

Putin -- the once arrested in Italy -- is accused of stealing from several high-end stores in the resort city of Riccione. He and an accomplice were arrested after Putin was caught on camera hiding clothing items from a store in a bag, police said.


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