Heavily-armed robbers block Italian highway and blow up armoured van before firefight with police and car chase
Heavily armed robbers disguised as police blocked a highway in southern Italy and blew up an armored van during a brazen raid in southern Italy before exchanging gunfire with police.
The attack took place on State Highway 613 in the Puglia region; Here, masked gunmen armed with Kalashnikov rifles blocked the road in front of shocked motorists.
Italian reports said the gang used vehicles equipped with flashing lights to escort the convoy, then parked a truck across the road and set fire to the armored van to force it to stop.
Dramatic footage shows thugs crouching behind a car as the armored vehicle explodes on the road, sending flames and debris into the air.
Other footage taken by motorists showed at least six masked suspects, some wearing white overalls and carrying guns, moving between vehicles as terrified motorists watched.
The targeted vehicle belonged to Battistolli, which operates armored cash transportation services throughout Italy.
According to Italian media, other ambushed drivers were also robbed.
Heavily armed robbers disguised as police blocked an Italian highway and blew up an armored van during a brazen raid in southern Italy this morning. Dramatic footage shows thugs crouching behind a car as the armored vehicle explodes on the road
The attack took place between the small towns of Cerano and San Pietro Vernotico, where masked gunmen armed with Kalashnikov rifles blocked the road in front of shocked motorists.
Other clips taken by drivers showed at least six masked suspects, some wearing white overalls and carrying guns, moving between vehicles as terrified drivers watched.
The targeted vehicle belonged to Battistolli, which operates armored money transportation services throughout Italy.
The suspects then escaped, triggering a chase with the Carabinieri; Meanwhile, a police car was shot three times and crashed into an unmarked vehicle.
Responding to reports that the Alfa Romeo was traveling at high speed, police officers later found the car abandoned in the countryside and arrested a man nearby who tried to escape on foot.
He was detained along with another gang member who also tried to escape.
According to Italian news outlet Sky TG24, the bandits come from the Foggia region, known in the news as the birthplace of gangs specializing in armed robbery of armored vehicles.
Authorities confirmed no one was injured and said police were pursuing at least two more suspects who had hijacked the cars of passing motorists to help other gang members escape.
Un Arma’s Puglia regional general secretary, Nicola Magno, said: ‘The Carabinieri once again found themselves at the forefront of an extremely violent and organized criminal activity.
‘The fact that a patrolman was gunned down demonstrates the high level of risk our officers are exposed to on a daily basis.
‘Thanks to the professionalism, composure and sense of duty of our colleagues, we are not talking about a tragedy today.’
