Reading Tattoo Parlor: Women Flee Without Paying for Tattoos

Mystic Tattoo’s owner is Giacomo Colangelo, age 51. His shop is in Reading’s town center. He saw two young women enter his tattoo parlor. He didn’t think much of it initially; walk-ins are common there.

He spotted the women touching items and talking very loudly. This struck him as odd, and he grew suspicious. Colangelo then followed them around the shop to prevent them from stealing.

The women asked for a small tattoo that only cost £70. When time came to pay, they reportedly pushed past the artist as he tried to collect their payment. They struggled briefly with the artist before rushing out the door without paying. The business’s CCTV captured everything.

Mystic Tattoo is on Queen Victoria Street and has served the town for years. It is an independently owned business. The stolen £70 isn’t a huge financial loss; it is an issue of principle, though.

Colangelo fears they will bother other places. He felt somewhat unprotected by the incident, stating that anyone could steal and run away. The shop sees hundreds of clients weekly.

While two people taking advantage isn’t very bad overall, the tattoo artist felt unsafe. The experience proved traumatic for that person, even though the theft didn’t affect their finances much. They want to raise awareness of these actions.

Colangelo wants people to know about this and talked to other shops who reported similar thefts. Two women matching the description took goods. He hopes everyone is aware of the thefts and what’s happening in Reading’s town center.