On the morning of February 9, 2026, a brazen armed robbery unfolded on State Road SS 613 between Brindisi and Lecce, close to the small town of Tuturano in Puglia, southern Italy.

A gang of 6–10 heavily armed men launched a coordinated assault on a cash-in-transit van operated by security firm BTV Battistolli, using explosives, firearms, and a roadblock tactic to halt traffic.

The incident quickly went viral due to bystander videos capturing the chaos and a fierce shootout with Carabinieri officers.

How the Attack Unfolded

Early that morning, the robbers blocked the highway by positioning several vehicles across the lanes and setting at least one on fire to force the armored van to stop.

Once the BTV vehicle halted, the assailants—dressed in white overalls and balaclavas—approached rapidly. Some members of the gang posed as police officers, using a vehicle equipped with a blue flashing light to add to the confusion.

The attackers then detonated explosives to breach the van’s rear doors. A massive plume of smoke rose from the blast, but the vehicle’s advanced security system activated—likely releasing expanding foam or dye packs—preventing access to the cash inside. Despite their efforts, the robbers were unable to seize any money.

Weapons Used: Modified Kalashnikov Rifles (Type 56 and ASh-78 Variants)

The gang was armed with AK-47-pattern assault rifles featuring distinctive modifications: magazines wrapped in electrical tape and stocks removed for easier handling.

Experts suggest many of these weapons were Chinese-made Type 56 copies or Albanian ASh-78 Tip-1 models, both commonly circulated in southern Italy’s criminal underworld.

When Carabinieri forces arrived on the scene, the robbers opened fire, triggering an intense exchange of gunfire. Remarkably, no civilians or security guards suffered serious injuries during the confrontation.

The heist ultimately failed. The gang fled in stolen vehicles, but police launched an immediate pursuit. Two suspects—a 62-year-old and a 38-year-old, both from the province of Foggia—were apprehended shortly afterward in the Salento area.

They now face charges including attempted robbery, illegal possession of weapons, and resisting arrest.

Such sophisticated attacks on cash-in-transit vans are unfortunately common in Puglia and neighboring regions, often linked to organized crime networks. Authorities continue their investigation to identify and capture the remaining members of the gang.