Italian police arrest Putin namesake

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.