Amanze Chinonye
A heavily armed criminal commando on Monday morning carried out a paramilitary-style assault on an armored cash-in-transit van on the SS 613 Brindisi–Lecce highway, near the Tuturano exit in Puglia, sparking a gun battle with Carabinieri officers and spreading panic among motorists.
The attack, which occurred shortly before 8 a.m., targeted a vehicle operated by BTV Battistolli Group, according to Italian authorities and confirmed by the Carabinieri’s military union, SIM Carabinieri.
In a statement, SIM expressed “deep concern and firm condemnation” over what it described as a “very serious armed assault”, noting that the criminals used extreme violence and reckless tactics that could easily have led to loss of life.
Join our WhatsApp ChannelInvestigators said the gang between six and eight masked men arrived in three SUVs, including an Alfa Romeo Stelvio, Jeep Compass and Kia Sportage, all fitted with flashing blue lights to impersonate police vehicles. The attackers blocked the highway by positioning cars across the road and setting at least one vehicle on fire.
The assailants then used explosives to breach the armored van, firing shots into the air to intimidate motorists. However, the robbery ultimately failed after the vehicle’s anti-theft foam defense system activated, preventing access to the cash.
During the escape, the gang was intercepted by Carabinieri patrols, leading to a fierce exchange of gunfire. SIM Carabinieri said bullets struck a patrol vehicle, with one round passing through the driver’s side window and across the passenger compartment, narrowly missing the officers inside.
“Only by a fortuitous combination of events did this not turn tragic,” the union said, adding that officers were “miraculously unharmed” despite their vehicle being hit by gunfire.
A plainclothes Carabinieri officer pursued the suspects but was rammed and forced off the road, authorities said.
Despite the intensity of the attack, no injuries or fatalities were reported among police officers, security guards, or civilians.
Two suspects, both reportedly from Foggia, were arrested by Carabinieri from the Lecce Provincial Command in the area between Campi Salentina, Guagnano, and San Donaci, after abandoning stolen vehicles and attempting to flee on foot through farmland near Squinzano. The search for the remaining members of the gang is ongoing.
One motorist, a female university student, told local media she was forced out of her car at gunpoint while driving to an exam in Lecce. She said a masked man fired a shot into the air before stealing her vehicle, while another attacker scattered nails on the road to slow pursuing traffic.
“I thought I was going to die,” she said.
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Following the attack, state highway 613 was closed in both directions between kilometer markers 8.3 and 12.8, near San Pietro Vernotico, as bomb disposal units, forensic teams and firefighters secured the scene. Traffic was diverted along the former SS 16, according to road operator ANAS.
In its statement, SIM Carabinieri expressed solidarity with both the officers involved and the private security guards, describing them as “direct victims of a terrifying assault.”
Authorities say the operation bears the hallmarks of a highly organized criminal group, noting that the same security company had been targeted previously on the same highway.
Police said further arrests are possible as investigations continue.
Amanze Chinonye is a Staff Correspondent at Prime Business Africa, a rising star in the literary world, weaving captivating stories that transport readers to the vibrant landscapes of Nigeria and the rest of Africa. With a unique voice that blends with the newspaper's tradition and style, Chinonye's writing is a masterful exploration of the human condition, delving into themes of identity, culture, and social justice. Through her words, Chinonye paints vivid portraits of everyday African life, from the bustling markets of Nigeria's Lagos to the quiet villages of South Africa's countryside . With a keen eye for detail and a deep understanding of the complexities of Nigerian society, Chinonye's writing is both a testament to the country's rich cultural heritage and a powerful call to action for a brighter future. As a writer, Chinonye is a true storyteller, using her dexterity to educate, inspire, and uplift readers around the world.
