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Dramatic Daylight Robbery Attempt on Italian Highway
A heavily armed criminal gang executed a paramilitary-style assault on an armored cash van on the SS 613 highway between Brindisi and Lecce in southern Italy's Puglia region on Monday morning, February 9, 2026. The brazen daylight attack involved between six and ten masked men who blocked the highway with burning vehicles, creating what witnesses described as a 'wall of flames' across the carriageway.
Elaborate Police Impersonation Scheme
The gang employed sophisticated tactics, using three SUVs equipped with flashing blue lights to impersonate police vehicles and create confusion among both the cash van security team and passing motorists. 'They were dressed in white overalls and black balaclavas, heavily armed with what appeared to be Kalashnikov rifles,' reported an eyewitness who filmed the incident from across the road. The footage shows the dramatic moment when the gang detonated an explosive device that blew the armored vehicle's doors open, sending the cash van several feet into the air.
Foam Security System Thwarts Robbery
Despite the violent breach of the armored vehicle, the robbery ultimately failed due to an advanced security system. The Battistolli Group cash van was equipped with a foam-based anti-theft system that activated upon the explosive breach, filling the interior with expanding foam that prevented access to the cash. 'The robbery failed because there was a protection system with foam rubber in the money truck,' reported la Repubblica.
Intense Firefight with Carabinieri
The situation escalated into a violent confrontation when Carabinieri - Italy's military police force - arrived on the scene. A fierce gun battle erupted between police and the armed gang, with bullets striking a patrol vehicle but miraculously missing officers. 'They began shooting wildly into the air. They blocked traffic and set the van on fire,' another witness told Italian media. The highway was completely blocked, trapping hundreds of motorists who panicked as the violent scene unfolded around them.
Aftermath and Arrests
Following the failed robbery, the gang fled the scene, hijacking cars from passing motorists during their escape. Within an hour, Carabinieri officers arrested two suspects from the Foggia area who had abandoned stolen vehicles and fled on foot. Remarkably, no injuries were reported among police, security guards, or civilians despite the extensive violence. The highway remained closed for several hours as investigators processed the crime scene, and traffic was diverted at the Tuturano exit.
Organized Crime Connections Suspected
Authorities suspect the gang has connections to organized crime networks in southern Italy, particularly from the Foggia area known for paramilitary-style armored vehicle robberies. A major manhunt with helicopter surveillance continues for the remaining gang members. This incident highlights the ongoing security challenges faced by cash transport services in Italy and the sophisticated tactics employed by criminal organizations targeting financial shipments.
