A Mickey Mouse mascot is being hunted by police after allegedly posing with tourists before launching a knife attack and extorting cash from victims.
The mouse-eared mugger dresses up as the Disney character complete with what looks like an authentic replica ears just like the real thing at the Magic Kingdom in Disneyland.
But visitors to the tourist magnet Via Toledo in Naples, Italy, say the resemblance stops there if families refuse to pay him for having their photos taken with him.
Now local MP Francesco Emilio Borrelli has sent a dossier on the rodent robber to police after one constituent said he had pulled a knife on them.
Deputy Borrelli said: ‘We are getting many reports on this subject who, disguised as Mickey Mouse, threatens and extorts money from tourists and citizens who take pictures with him.
‘In some videos, users claimed that the man is also armed with a knife.’
He added: ‘We cannot allow people like this to act undisturbed in the tourist areas of the city, damaging the image of Naples and creating a climate of fear between citizens and visitors.
‘We have received several reports and videos that show worrying attitudes, including an alleged episode of threat with a weapon.
The mouse-eared mugger dresses up as the Disney character complete with what looks like an authentic replica ears just like the real thing at the Magic Kingdom in Disneyland
But visitors to the tourist magnet Via Toledo in Naples, Italy, say the resemblance stops there if families refuse to pay him for having their photos taken with him
Now local MP Francesco Emilio Borrelli has sent a dossier on the rodent robber to police after one constituent said he had pulled a knife on them
Deputy Borrelli said: ‘We are getting many reports on this subject who, disguised as Mickey Mouse, threatens and extorts money from tourists and citizens who take pictures with him’
‘I want an investigation to get to the facts and if the allegations are confirmed he will be caught and dealt with.’
Borrelli is calling for ‘mouse trap’ patrols to catch the knifeman red-handed as he harasses children and their parents.
He said: ‘Naples cannot be hostage to those who think they can do just as they like without any respect for the law.’
Tourists have taken to social media to talk about her experience with the impersonator.
The woman said: ‘I was super excited and had my daughter take a picture with Mickey Mouse.
‘Only now have I discovered that he goes around with a knife and take its out on anyone who doesn’t give him money. Thank god we escaped.’
