Armed men posing as police used a burning truck and explosives to blow open an armoured cash van on a motorway in Puglia, southern Italy, in an attack filmed by passing motorists. Police exchanged gunfire with the raiders and arrested two suspects near Squinzano; investigators believe about six people took part and suspect links to Foggia-based gangs. A police union leader warned of an escalation in organised violence and urged better equipment and training for officers. This was the second similar motorway assault in a week, after an earlier raid near Ortona reportedly netted €400,000.
Gang Posing As Police Blow Up Armoured Cash Van On Italian Motorway
The gang drove a dark blue Alfa Romeo with a blue light on the roof, footage shows
Armed men impersonating police officers detonated explosives to blow open an armoured cash van on a motorway in southern Italy on Monday morning, in a brazen attack captured by passing motorists.
The Attack
Footage shows attackers wearing balaclavas and travelling in a dark-blue Alfa Romeo fitted with a blue emergency light on the roof. The gang first blocked the motorway by setting a truck alight, forcing the security vehicle to stop and delaying uniformed officers from reaching the scene.
The robbers set a truck alight on the motorway to force the cash van to stop
Several assailants ran to the rear of the armoured van and used explosives to blow its doors off, producing thick plumes of dark smoke that were recorded by motorists' phones. Police arrived and exchanged gunfire with the raiders. Authorities have not disclosed how much cash, if any, was taken.
Aftermath And Investigation
Members of the public reported seeing two men flee at high speed in the Alfa Romeo. Officers intercepted the car and arrested two suspects near the town of Squinzano. Investigators believe roughly six people were involved and say the assailants may come from Foggia, a Puglia town linked to organised, heavily armed gangs that have targeted security vans.
Police are hunting for further gang members who are believed to have taken part in the cash van raid
Authorities closed a stretch of the motorway between Lecce and Brindisi in both directions while investigators examined the scene. Police continue to hunt for the remaining suspects.
Wider Context
Nicola Magno, secretary-general of a police officers’ union, warned of a worrying escalation in organised criminal activity and the daily risks faced by the Carabinieri. He said a patrol was shot at during the incident and called for better vehicles, training and equipment as gangs grow "ever more aggressive and militarised."
This was the second similar assault in a week. In a separate attack near Ortona in the Abruzzo region, robbers used gunfire, nails and smoke bombs to stop an armoured van before detonating an explosive to open it; police said the attackers reportedly escaped with about €400,000.
Note: Details on the exact amount stolen in the latest incident have not been released by authorities.
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