Rome, Lazio, Italy – In a series of audacious overnight robberies, two jewellery stores, one in Rome and another in Marino, were ransacked within a few hours. Authorities are investigating a potential link to a notorious group known as the ‘Panda Gang’, which has been associated with similar crimes across the region.
Double Strike: Rome and Marino Hit
The first incident occurred around 2:30 AM in Viale Eritrea, Rome. Thieves, utilizing a stolen Fiat Panda, reportedly rammed through the security shutter of a jewellery store. It is believed that an alarm may have been triggered, causing the perpetrators to flee with only a limited number of items displayed in the shop window. Carabinieri and the VII section of Via In Selci were dispatched to the scene to conduct preliminary investigations and gather evidence.
Approximately two hours later, at about 4:30 AM, another jewellery store located in Via Silvio Pellico, Marino, was targeted. In a strikingly similar modus operandi, a vehicle was used to smash through the glass entrance of the establishment. The robbers made off with a selection of watches, necklaces, and bracelets from the display cases. Carabinieri are actively investigating this second incident, examining potential connections between the two robberies.
The ‘Panda Gang’ Modus Operandi
The use of a Fiat Panda in both incidents has drawn the attention of investigators, as this method mirrors previous thefts in Rome and its surrounding province. The perpetrators typically employ a stolen Fiat Panda as a battering ram to gain entry into commercial premises, suggesting a coordinated effort by a single criminal organization. This distinctive pattern has led to the group being colloquially referred to as the ‘Panda Gang’.
The stolen vehicles are often recovered later, sometimes cannibalized for parts, highlighting the sophisticated nature of the gang’s operations. The preference for Fiat Pandas is likely due to their widespread availability and ease of theft, making them ideal for such smash-and-grab tactics.
A Series of Similar Robberies
These recent jewellery store heists are not isolated incidents but rather part of a broader series of similar crimes that have plagued the Lazio region. Just days prior, a Mediaworld store in the Appio Claudio area of Tuscolano was subjected to a similar attack. Before that, a pharmacy on the Ostiense was also targeted. Similar raids were reported in June and twice in May in Guidonia. In all these cases, a vehicle was used as a ram to force entry into the premises.
Beyond Rome and Guidonia Montecelio, other locations that have experienced these types of robberies include Aurelio, a bar on the Circonvallazione Orientale, Via Prenestina, and the Talenti district. Further incidents have been recorded in Ardea, San Cesareo, Esquilino, and Monteverde, where a tobacconist and another pharmacy were hit. The consistency in the method of operation across these various locations strongly suggests the involvement of the same criminal network.
Police Investigations Underway
Carabinieri are intensifying their efforts to identify and apprehend the members of the ‘Panda Gang’. Investigators are analyzing forensic evidence from both crime scenes, reviewing surveillance footage, and cross-referencing information from previous similar incidents. The focus is on determining whether the two recent jewellery store robberies were indeed carried out by the same individuals or if copycat criminals are employing similar tactics.
The authorities are urging business owners to enhance their security measures, particularly those with easily accessible entrances. The ongoing investigation aims to dismantle the criminal network responsible for these repeated assaults on commercial establishments and restore a sense of security to the affected communities.
Source: https://www.romatoday.it/cronaca/banda-della-panda-furti-gioiellerie-roma-marino.html
