Highway Under Siege
In a scene ripped from an action movie, a heavily armored cash-in-transit vehicle became the target of a meticulously orchestrated attack on a highway
in southern Italy. This daring robbery, described by authorities as a 'military-style operation,' unfolded near Tuturano, on the SS613 route connecting Brindisi and Lecce. The perpetrators, believed to be at least six individuals, executed a plan that involved blocking both directions of the highway with stolen vehicles, which they then set ablaze. This created a terrifying 'wall of flames,' a spectacle captured in viral videos, designed to impede any immediate response from law enforcement and halt all traffic. The audacious criminals used explosives and automatic weaponry, including Kalashnikov rifles and shotguns, to intimidate and control the situation, all while motorists found themselves trapped amidst the chaos and smoke.
Explosive Breach
The core of the heist involved a sophisticated breach of the armored cash van. Investigators suggest the attackers may have initially presented themselves as security personnel, a ruse to get close to their target. Dressed in distinctive black-and-white jumpsuits and masks, they unleashed a barrage of gunfire to assert their dominance and keep any onlookers at bay. The real breakthrough came with the use of powerful, military-grade explosives, specifically employed to blast open the rear of the hardened vehicle and shatter its reinforced safe. The explosive force was reportedly followed by intense gunfire, though remarkably, no injuries were sustained by the security guards or any civilians present during the violent confrontation. The exact monetary value of the stolen cash remains undisclosed, but officials confirmed it was a significant sum.
Escape and Evasion
Following the successful breach and theft, the well-coordinated gang made their escape in high-performance vehicles, heading towards the rural areas surrounding Squinzano in the Lecce province. To thwart any immediate pursuit by law enforcement, they strategically scattered metal spikes across the roadway, designed to puncture the tires of any vehicles attempting to give chase. A massive manhunt was promptly initiated, involving extensive aerial support from helicopters and numerous ground units scouring the Salento region. Despite these efforts, the suspects managed to evade capture, utilizing the labyrinthine narrow rural routes to disappear. Authorities did confirm that at least two individuals were apprehended in connection with the robbery, but a significant portion of the group remained at large.
Aftermath and Alert
The highway remained cordoned off for several hours as emergency services worked to extinguish the burning vehicles and forensic teams meticulously combed through the scene for evidence. Police reported recovering abandoned weapons and some of the stolen vehicles used in the heist. The incident prompted authorities to issue warnings to travelers in the Puglia region, advising them to anticipate increased security measures, a greater police presence, and the establishment of numerous checkpoints in the days that followed. The sheer audacity and meticulous planning of the robbery, characterized by its military precision, left a significant mark, highlighting the evolving methods of organized crime.
