Rome, July 29 (TIWN) Two American teenagers have been arrested in connection with the stabbing to death of a 35-year-old police officer in Rome, according to the local police.

According to Italy’s Carabinieri police force, Christian Gabriel Natale Hjorth and Elder Finnegan Lee were arrested and admitted to killing 35-year-old Deputy Brig. Mario Cerciello Rega after stealing a backpack from an Italian man.  Authorities say the teens threatened the man in a phone call, refusing to return it unless they were given 100 euros ($111) and a gram of cocaine.   When Rega arrived on the scene Friday, he was stabbed eight times and died. The officer was married less than two months ago and had just celebrated his birthday.  The Carabinieri posted a photo of Rega on its Facebook page Friday, mourning the loss and sending sympathy to his family.