Theft in Pompeii excavations but thieves leave part of the loot behind

Unknown people committed or attempted to commit a sensational theft in the Pompeii excavations during the night. This morning, in fact, during a territorial control, the police officers of a patrol car from the Pompeii Police Station noticed some citizens who were calling their attention to report objects placed on the sidewalk near one of the gates of the archaeological park of the Pompeii excavations in Via Plinio. The police officers found 2 fragments of white marble columns on the sidewalk, approximately 25 cm high and 15 cm in diameter. The officers, having recovered the fragments, handed them over to the park's archaeologist, who reported that the finds dated back to Roman times and likely belonged to the local archaeological context. Investigations are underway by the State Police to ascertain the dynamics of the facts.