A gang of armed individuals engaged in a violent confrontation with police officers this morning while attempting to rob an armored van on a busy highway. The incident took place on State Road 613 in Italy, connecting the cities of Lecce and Brindisi in the region of Puglia.
Masked men carrying automatic weapons were seen on the highway, believed to be members of a criminal gang engaging in a shootout with local Carabinieri police officers. Gunfire erupted as onlookers watched in shock, with a bullet striking a police car windshield.
The attackers initiated the assault by setting a vehicle on fire to block the road. The armored van, owned by security company BTV, was forced to halt to avoid the blazing vehicle, allowing the criminals, disguised with blue flashing lights on their vehicle to appear as an escort, to make their move.
Video footage captured the explosion caused by the robbers breaking into the armored van to steal its contents. The scene depicted at least six individuals with covered faces, some wearing white overalls and armed.
Despite their attempts, the robbers were unsuccessful in looting the van before the police intervened, leading to the arrest of two individuals near the scene. Additional gang members managed to escape, with authorities currently pursuing at least two more individuals.
The criminals, reportedly from the Foggia area, known for armed robbery activities targeting armored vehicles, have a history in the region. The gang is said to have fled the scene by hijacking passing vehicles, as reported by local news sources.
According to reports, the gang used vehicles with flashing lights to deceive security guards into believing they were law enforcement officials. Fortunately, no injuries were reported during the shootout.
Nicola Magno, the Puglia regional secretary general of Un Arma, praised the Carabinieri for their professionalism and bravery in handling the violent criminal incident. He emphasized the risks faced by officers daily and expressed gratitude that the situation did not escalate into a tragedy due to the officers’ dedication.
