Police have arrested four Romanians caught looting a home in the town of San Panfilo d'Ocre, not far from the Abruzzo capital of L'Aquila.
Investigators believe the four were given the keys to the residence by a Romanian caregiver who took care of an elderly resident.
Police and special military units are on special alert against looters during Friday's solemn funeral here for the 289 victims of Monday's devastating earthquake.
Aside from looters, law enforcement authorities also find themselves having to deal with an influx of 'earthquake tourists' who have come for a first-hand look at the damage equipped with cameras.
The greatest risk, authorities said, was for these 'tourists' to enter areas which are off limits because buildings risk collapsing.
Police also said that it was not rare for looters to pretend that they are just curious onlookers.
