In the early morning on the state highway 613 between Brindisi and Lecce, an armed group attacked a collection van: the criminals blocked the road with a truck and a van, set them on fire and detonated an explosive device near an armored car. The explosion threw the car into the air and caused a powerful fire and thick black smoke, but as a result, the foam-forming protection of the van worked, and access to cash was blocked — the attackers failed to steal the money.
When Carabinieri patrols arrived at the scene, a shootout ensued: the attackers, according to eyewitnesses, operated with machine guns and shotguns, some of them were wearing masks and used cars with flashing lights, disguising themselves as police. During the pursuit, the criminals scattered spikes on the road, stole cars from drivers and tried to break through roadblocks; despite the intensity of the battle and a large number of peaceful participants in the movement, no serious injuries or deaths were recorded.
Law enforcement officers launched a large-scale operation involving helicopters, and a section of the highway in the San Pietro Vernotico area was temporarily closed and traffic was redirected. Later, an abandoned Alfa Romeo was found, two suspects were detained while trying to escape on foot, the other participants in the attack remain wanted; the investigation is ongoing, the investigation is being conducted by Italian law enforcement agencies.
