U.S. tourist beaten by Naples mob

ROME – An American tourist was beaten by an angry mob in the streets of Naples after he chased down two men who had just stolen his camera, police said Wednesday.

The tourist, identified by Italian police as 25-year-old Matthew Thomas Godfrey, of Utah, was taking pictures of a church in central Naples on Monday night when two men snatched his camera and fled on a scooter.

The American chased the thieves into a narrow alley when a group of local residents attacked him with punches and kicks, allowing the muggers to escape, Naples police said in a statement.

Police arrived on the scene and took Godfrey to a hospital, where he was treated and released. Thanks to his description of the muggers, the suspects were later caught, and police were working to identify the residents who took part in the assault.