A west Belfast man living in the US whose car was broken into during a trip home has written a hard-hitting open letter to those responsible.
Domenico Camplisson said he parked the rental car, which had a Dublin registration plate, in Wolseley Street off Botanic Avenue in the south of the city last Thursday.
The thieves took items including cash, bags and a passport.
Mr Camplisson, who lives in California with his family, is a manager in social services and a university instructor.
He said the three culprits were later seen entering the Park Centre in west Belfast and also by customers in a KFC outlet who witnessed them "throwing away our belongings... in the Bog Meadows".
"First you targeted the car because it was a Dublin registration," he wrote.
"You three 'nationalists' welcome travellers from Dublin by targeting them and vandalising their car and stealing their stuff.
"But the reason I’m taking the time to write this is, I’m not from Dublin. In fact I’m from the same community as you three... I grew up at La Salle Drive which is just around the corner from the Park Centre. I know you so well because I could have been you."
The Queen's University graduate added: "I work with migrants and homeless people who have fewer advantages in life than you do.
"It’s easy to live by the smash and grab and the rip-off, but the key thing you forgot is it’s a trap. You will never get out of the ghetto because it’s inside your head and you’re proud of your 'successes'.
"Like Victor McLaglen in The Informer, you’re the big men in the pub and the braggarts in the bar. You flash other people’s money because you have no ability to earn any by your own efforts. You have nothing of value to offer your community, but make your way by violence and stealing. Your kids will be ashamed of their dads."
Mr Camplisson said the stolen items included his son's Harvard ID card, adding: "Yes, Harvard. The son of a wee man from Belfast works at Harvard Medical School."
He pointed out that his son's job involves "using genetic engineering to cure serious diseases" and that his wife is a high school teacher who "serves the poorest immigrant community in the area and has assisted several foster kids get to college".
"But that means nothing to you because to you, helping people seems weak, while stealing their stuff is your way to show how manly you are," he said.
"Some people in west Belfast will praise you and slap you on the back as great guys. But I’m from that community, so I know they really hate, loathe and fear you.
"But maybe there is still hope for your younger family members. They know who you are because hoods always brag and show off their 'victories'.
"I’m including my address so you can return our stuff (you can use my kid’s money to do that). I want to make sure your families know you had the opportunity to do the right thing. You won’t, because you are really just three wee boys, not men."
Mr Camplisson signed off with his address - PO Box 2675, San Marcos, CA, 92079 USA.
Police last night confirmed details of the theft, saying they received a report at around 6.20pm last Thursday that a Volkswagen Passett had been broken into at the corner of Wolsely Street and Cromwell Road.
"A passport and laptop were stolen, however the passport was later discovered and handed into the police."
A spokesman appealed for anyone with information to contact police at Lisburn Road on 101 or anonymously via Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.
