Dramatic Police Chase in Milan: Officer Injured, Shots Fired, Suspect Escapes
Milan, March 14 – A high-octane police chase, reminiscent of a movie scene, took place on Saturday morning across the northern districts and hinterland of Milan. The pursuit, which began in the Bovisasca neighborhood and extended for several kilometers to Bollate, involved an armed suspect who ultimately evaded capture. During the chase, a police officer was injured, and multiple shots were fired by law enforcement.
The Beginning of the Pursuit: An Armed Man in Bovisasca
The incident commenced around 11:30 AM in Via Ernesto Teodoro Moneta in Bovisasca. A resident alerted the 112 emergency number, reporting an armed man openly carrying a pistol in the street. The first police patrol to respond located the suspect already inside a white Peugeot utility vehicle, believed to be a 208 model.
Upon being ordered to stop, the driver immediately fled, attempting to run over the officers. In response, one of the officers discharged three rounds from his service weapon towards the vehicle’s tires. However, the shots failed to stop the fleeing suspect.
Officer Injured and Shots Fired
Reinforcements, including motorcycle police patrols known as “Nibbio,” arrived and attempted to block the Peugeot’s path. The driver, who was alone in the car, then struck and injured one of the officers before speeding off towards Quarto Oggiaro. The injured officer sustained contusions but was not in serious condition.
The chase continued to the bridge on Via Amoretti, where officers again tried to intercept the car and fired another shot at its tires. Despite these efforts, the vehicle’s escape continued unabated.
Escape to Bollate and Ongoing Manhunt
The pursuit then headed north, through Baranzate and Bollate. The Peugeot dangerously swerved through traffic and past pedestrians, repeatedly maneuvering to avoid police and Carabinieri roadblocks. Another shot was fired at the vehicle’s tires in Baranzate, near a roundabout, but the car remained unstoppable. Upon reaching Bollate, the suspect successfully outdistanced the police and disappeared.
Following the escape, numerous police and Carabinieri patrols scoured the area for hours in hopes of intercepting the fugitive, but their efforts were unsuccessful. The manhunt for the suspect continued throughout Saturday.
Investigation into the Suspect’s Identity and Motive
Investigators have reconstructed the events, noting that the driver, possibly of South American origin, never fired at the officers. However, authorities suspect he was indeed carrying a real weapon. It is believed that at the time of the 112 call, the mysterious fugitive was in the company of other individuals. This has led investigators to consider the possibility of a dispute with others, during which the man may have drawn his weapon, rather than a robbery attempt. Surveillance cameras in the area are being thoroughly reviewed for clues.
Police continue to investigate the incident and search for the armed suspect who remains at large. The injured officer is recovering, and the community remains on alert as the investigation progresses.
