Highway Inferno Erupts
Early Monday morning on the SS613 highway in southern Italy, a scene of chaos unfolded as an armed group orchestrated a dramatic ambush on a cash-in-transit
vehicle. The robbers employed a sophisticated strategy, blocking both lanes of the road with stolen vehicles that they subsequently set ablaze. This created a terrifying 'wall of flames,' a vivid description provided by witnesses, effectively halting all traffic and crucially, preventing any immediate police response. The objective was clear: to isolate the target, a van carrying a substantial amount of cash near Tuturano, and create an environment of fear and confusion to facilitate the heist. The sheer scale of the roadblock, coupled with the thick smoke billowing across the highway, signaled a meticulously planned operation rather than a spontaneous crime.
Calculated Explosions & Firepower
The audacious attack escalated with the use of powerful, military-grade explosives to breach the armoured cash truck's rear and its reinforced safe. Eyewitness accounts and viral videos depicted intense explosions tearing through the vehicle, followed by volleys of gunfire. Investigators are piecing together how the gang, believed to consist of at least six individuals, operated with such precision. Reports suggest they may have initially disguised themselves as security personnel, adding another layer to their deceptive approach. Clad in black-and-white jumpsuits and masks, they wielded Kalashnikov rifles and shotguns, intimidating security guards and keeping any onlookers at bay. Miraculously, despite the extreme violence of the assault, no guards or civilians sustained fatal injuries during the incident.
Elusive Escape Route
Once the cash truck was breached and a substantial, though undisclosed, sum of money was secured, the perpetrators executed their escape with remarkable speed and foresight. They fled the scene in high-performance vehicles, heading towards the rural areas surrounding Squinzano. To further impede any immediate pursuit, the gang strategically scattered metal spikes across the highway, puncturing the tires of any vehicles that dared to follow. This tactic effectively bought them crucial time, allowing them to disappear into the labyrinthine network of narrow country roads in the Salento region. A massive manhunt, involving both aerial surveillance with helicopters and extensive ground unit deployments, was immediately initiated by authorities to track down the fleeing suspects.
Manhunt and Heightened Security
The aftermath of the robbery saw the highway closed for several hours as emergency services worked to clear the burnt wreckage and forensic teams meticulously scoured the scene for evidence. The police managed to recover abandoned weapons and some of the stolen vehicles used in the ambush. While the primary perpetrators managed to evade capture initially, authorities confirmed that at least two individuals were apprehended. The incident has been officially described as a 'military-style operation' by law enforcement, underscoring the advanced planning and execution involved. As a precautionary measure, travelers in the Puglia region were advised to anticipate increased security presence, with more patrols and checkpoints being established in the coming days to ensure public safety and aid in the ongoing search for the remaining suspects.
