Italian Highway Heist: Armed Gang Detonates Armored Truck Near Lecce

A brazen, highly organized armed robbery took place on Monday in the Salento province of southern Italy, resembling a scene from a Hollywood action movie. An armed gang targeted an armored cash-in-transit vehicle on the busy highway connecting the cities of Lecce and Brindisi, specifically near the town of Tutorano.

The attackers executed a sophisticated plan to bring traffic to a standstill. They blocked the highway by setting fire to several hijacked cars and trucks, creating a chaotic barrier that trapped the armored vehicle.

Explosive Assault and Shootout Once the truck was immobilized, the gang used powerful explosive devices to blast open the vehicle's reinforced doors. During the assault, a passing patrol of the "Carabinieri" (Italian military police) happened upon the scene, leading to a fierce exchange of gunfire between officers and the masked gunmen.

Despite the intensity of the shootout and the use of explosives, Italian authorities confirmed that there were no injuries reported among security personnel or civilians who were caught in the traffic jam.

Manhunt Underway Following the heist, Italian security forces launched a massive search operation across the region. At least two suspects have been taken into custody so far, but several other gang members remain at large. Detectives are currently working to determine the exact amount of cash stolen and are reviewing footage from the scene.

Videos circulating on social media show the armored truck engulfed in smoke and surrounded by armed men in masks, highlighting the daylight audacity of the crime on one of the region's main traffic arteries.