'I was mugged for my cell phone - but then I saw the thief and fell in love with him'

A woman told an interviewer how she fell in love with the criminal who mugged her for her mobile phone. The incident happened in Brazil and now the couple are head over heels in love.

The mugger stole the woman's phone, but later when he searched through her photos he was completely mesmerized by her beauty, telling the interviewer: “You don’t see a brunette like that every day”. 

He knew he had to see her again and tracked her down using details he found on her phone. The woman, identified as Emanuela in the local press, forgave her mugger after being totally charmed by him. 

They’ve now been together for two years, meaning this story has a happy ending. Emanuela explained how the mugging unfolded.

She said: “I was walking down the street where he lives and unfortunately, I was mugged.” 

The unnamed man tried to justify his actions and told the reporter: “I was going through a difficult situation because I didn't have a woman, you know?

"When I saw her photo on the phone, I said to myself ‘What a beautiful brunette, you don’t see a brunette like that every day’ and I regretted stealing it.” 

The reporter then quipped: “So you stole her phone and then her heart?” 

The story is so surreal, it’s hard to believe it’s true and has left social media users perplexed. 

One local commented: “In Brazil, it is normal to fall in love with a criminal.” 

Another said: “Love can accomplish anything.” 

One was so shocked, she wrote: “I don't know whether to laugh or cry.” 

While another remarked: “There is a new form of romance in Brazil. Rob me and I’ll date you. It’s bizarre.” 

This comment perhaps, summed it up: “Brazil is not for amateurs.”