Armed robbers staged a brazen, paramilitary-style attack on an armored van on Southern Italy’s State Road 613 in Puglia on Monday. Masked assailants, some posing as police, blocked the highway with vehicles, forced the armored van to stop, and detonated an explosive device, creating a massive fireball.
The attack escalated into a shootout, with arriving police officers coming under gunfire and using their cars for cover. Despite the powerful blast, a security system inside the van foiled the robbery by deploying foam that prevented the gang from stealing any cash.
The suspects fled the scene by carjacking motorists to breach police roadblocks. Authorities later arrested two men after a high-speed chase, though at least two others remain at large. A major manhunt involving helicopters and checkpoints is ongoing across the region.
Police officials condemned the "extremely violent act," noting the high risk officers face. They confirmed the robbery was ultimately unsuccessful and no cash was obtained, crediting the safety mechanisms of the van and the professionalism of the responding officers for averting a tragedy.
