Feb 9, 2026, 5:36 p.mFeb 9, 2026, 5:43 p.m
On Monday there was a scene like something out of an action film on the Italian highway between Brindisi and Lecce: an armored cash-in-transit truck was blown up by several robbers.
The perpetrators first set a red van on fire, blocking the vehicle’s lane. At least six masked people wearing white overalls drove up in a blue Alfa Romeo with flashing lights that resembled police vehicles.
According to the Italian newspaper “Corriere della Sera”, the robbers are said to have fired at two Battistolli armored cash-in-transit vehicles with Kalashnikovs. After security personnel got out, the robbers blew up the two vans.
Apparently the actual robbery didn’t happen.
As they fled, the perpetrators set other vehicles on fire and forced passing drivers to give up their cars. During the pursuit there was an exchange of fire with the carabinieri near Squinzano.
The affected section of state road SS 613 remained closed for several hours. A thick cloud of smoke hung over the area. (hkl)