Rome, January 16 – A meticulously planned ‘hole-in-the-wall’ bank robbery in the Colli Aniene district of Rome was successfully thwarted by State Police, leading to the arrest of five individuals. The gang, composed of Italian men aged 26 to 53, had devised a detailed strategy involving repeated reconnaissance, counter-surveillance techniques, and real-time radio communication.
Sophisticated Planning and Execution
The operation, coordinated by magistrates from the Serious and Widespread Crime Department of the Public Prosecutor’s Office in Rome, saw investigators from the Mobile Squad intercepting suspicious movements from two men already known for a similar ‘hole-in-the-wall’ robbery several years prior. Their activities were observed in the vicinity of a bank in Colli Aniene.
Police documentation revealed a well-defined plan with strict role division. One vehicle was strategically positioned to overlook the credit institution, while another acted as a mobile lookout, circling the target perimeter and ready to signal the arrival of law enforcement via radio.
Communication was maintained through walkie-talkies tuned to the same frequency, ensuring a direct link between the external lookouts and the men engaged in digging to gain access to the building through a secondary entrance. The plan was to complete the breach during the night, mask the intrusion at dawn, and strike when the bank opened, leveraging the element of surprise and internal access.
Police Intervention and Arrests
However, the plot was foiled when Mobile Squad agents, having infiltrated the gang’s operational scheme, launched their raid. All five accomplices were apprehended, and one was disarmed of a loaded pistol.
Subsequent vehicle and home searches led to the seizure of the robbery kit, which included transceivers, burglary tools, balaclavas, and latex gloves. In the pockets of one of the arrested men, officers found the key to the padlock guarding the tampered premises, intended for the final intrusion.
The five men are now facing charges of attempted aggravated robbery, illegal possession and carrying of a common firearm, and receiving stolen goods. The judicial authorities have validated the police operation and ordered their pre-trial detention in Rebibbia prison.
Context and Broader Implications
This incident comes amidst a series of other criminal activities in Rome. Recently, an 800,000 euro jewelry theft, also attributed to a ‘hole-in-the-wall’ gang, was reported. The swift action of the State Police in this case highlights their ongoing efforts to combat organized crime in the city.
The arrests underscore the persistent threat of sophisticated criminal networks and the importance of vigilant police work in preventing such crimes. The meticulous planning by the perpetrators, contrasted with the effective counter-intelligence by law enforcement, serves as a testament to the continuous battle against serious crime in the Italian capital.
Further investigations are expected to determine if this gang is connected to other similar incidents in the region, as authorities continue to crack down on organized criminal activities.
Source: Sky TG24
