A dramatic armored car heist unfolded early this morning, January 5, 2026, on the A14 Bologna-Taranto highway at kilometer 402, near Ortona, in the Chieti province. The incident, which occurred around 6:30 AM, involved assailants setting two vehicles on fire and scattering nails and smoke bombs across the roadway, leading to severe traffic congestion.
Details of the Heist
The attack took place in the northbound lane between Val di Sangro and Ortona. According to initial reports, three cars and a truck were involved in the ambush. It is currently unconfirmed whether firearms were used during the robbery, and the exact value of the loot has not yet been determined by authorities.
Police patrols from the Pescara Coa, along with firefighters and emergency medical services (118), swiftly responded to the scene. The area was immediately secured as investigations commenced.
Traffic Chaos and Recovery Efforts
The audacious heist caused significant disruption to traffic on the A14 highway. The affected stretch of road was completely blocked, leading to a 1 km queue in the direction of Pescara shortly after the incident. By 2:00 PM, Autostrade per l’Italia reported a 6 km tailback between Val di Sangro and Ortona towards Pescara. Traffic was being diverted onto a single lane via a carriageway exchange, with Autostrade per l’Italia personnel on-site to manage the flow and monitor the situation.
Recovery efforts are underway to clear the damaged vehicles and debris from the highway and to repair any infrastructure damage caused by the fires. The incident has highlighted concerns about highway security and the methods employed by organized criminal groups.
Ongoing Investigation
Authorities are actively investigating the robbery. Police are gathering evidence from the scene, including any surveillance footage from the highway or nearby areas, and are interviewing potential witnesses. The focus of the investigation is to identify and apprehend the perpetrators responsible for the violent heist and to recover the stolen goods.
The incident underscores the persistent challenge of combating such sophisticated criminal operations on Italy’s major transportation arteries. Further updates are expected as the investigation progresses and more details emerge regarding the perpetrators and the extent of the losses.
