Masked gunmen turned a bustling Italian highway into a war zone, detonating explosives on an armored van in a daylight ambush that could have ended in millions stolen—but didn’t.
See the video further down this post.
Highway Ambush Unfolds in Puglia
Six to ten masked robbers struck along State Road 613 near Tuturano, Italy. They set a van and a truck on fire to form a wall of flames, halting traffic between Brindisi and Lecce. Fake police vehicles with flashing blue lights approached the Battistolli Group armored van. Robbers, clad in white and black overalls, wielded Kalashnikovs and shotguns. They detonated explosives, lifting the van off the ground in a massive blast.
Security foam immediately filled the van, rendering cash inaccessible and thwarting the theft. Responding Carabinieri faced gunfire; one patrol car took three bullets, and another was rammed. Robbers carjacked motorists, scattered spikes to puncture tires, and abandoned an Alfa Romeo in nearby fields. Motorist videos captured the chaos on this vital commercial artery, exposing the brazen midday assault.
Carabinieri Response Thwarts Disaster
Lecce Provincial Command Carabinieri engaged within minutes of the 8 a.m. alert. Officers pursued fleeing suspects on foot and by vehicle through Puglia’s rural terrain. Within one hour, two robbers surrendered after ditching their getaway car. No officers or civilians suffered injuries despite intense crossfire. Authorities launched helicopters and set up regional checkpoints to hunt down remaining suspects.
Prosecutors oversee forensic work at the blast site after highway crews cleared debris. SS 613 reopened following a temporary closure, minimizing long disruptions. This rapid action preserved public safety and validated Battistolli’s anti-theft tech. Common sense dictates that such swift enforcement deters copycats, aligning with values prioritizing law and order over leniency toward criminals.
Puglia’s Rising Crime Pattern Emerges
Armored cash-in-transit robberies surge in southern Italy, fueled by economic strain and Sacra Corona Unita mafia influence. Puglia highways, such as SS 613, enable quick escapes into the countryside. Robbers mimicked police tactics increasingly noted by authorities, echoing military-grade ambushes. Though no direct precedents in Puglia surfaced, the patterns match “Money Heist”-style operations elsewhere. Facts support bolstering patrols, as weak responses invite escalation.
Stakeholders include Battistolli Group, whose foam system proved decisive, and Carabinieri, whose preparedness shone. Robbers sought quick cash gains, likely with links to organized crime. Motorists endured carjackings and panic from explosions and shots. Short-term delays hit commerce; long-term, firms eye anti-explosive upgrades.
Implications for Security and Society
The incident underscores vulnerabilities on key routes, pressuring Italian enforcers to combat organized crime. Public fear lingers from daylight violence on busy roads. Economic ripples include higher CIT insurance amid tactic sophistication like spikes and impersonation. Conservative principles favor arming guards more robustly and streamlining pursuits, as evidence shows that technology combined with decisive policing works. Ongoing manhunt signals commitment, but unresolved suspects foreshadow risks.
Sources:
Heavily-Armed Robbers Block Highway, Blow Up Armored Van In Fight With Cops
Italy road chaos: Gunmen try to rob armored van on busy highway
Armored cash transport targeted in robbery attempt on Italian highway