Italian businessman killed over watch in Venezuela

An Italian businessman was killed by thieves who tried to steal his Rolex watch and shot him when he resisted, police said Thursday.

Businessman Carlo Zaccanti, 63, was killed Wednesday while traveling on a Caracas highway, police homicide chief Alexander Perez told the Venezuelan radio station Union Radio. Zaccanti, reportedly from Bologna, was in Venezuela for medical technology projects at hospitals.

The Italian Embassy said preparations were being made for Zaccanti's body to be flown back to Italy.

Italian government officials have expressed concern about crime against Italian citizens in the South American country. Last year, Italian Elena Vecoli was murdered while she vacationed with her husband in Venezuela's Los Roques islands. Italian-born businessman Filippo Sindoni also was kidnapped last year and found dead the next day.

Caracas is considered one of the most violent cities in Latin America, and polls have shown that crime is a major concern for Venezuelans.