Maxi Heist in Rome: Peroso Jewellery Store Attacked, Hunt for Audi Gang
Rome, April 1, 2026 – A major robbery has shaken Rome as the Peroso jewellery store on Via Sistina was targeted by a gang of five bandits in the early hours of Monday, March 30. The perpetrators, described as an ‘Audi gang’, made off with a significant quantity of jewels and silverware, leaving the owners feeling vulnerable and unprotected.
The raid occurred around 2:40 AM. The thieves, armed with pickaxes and angle grinders, disabled the store’s roller shutter. They then proceeded to empty the display cases of their contents before making their getaway in a high-powered Audi. Fortunately, the safe remained untouched.
Owners Express Frustration: ‘We Don’t Feel Protected’
Speaking to RomaToday, one of the owners of the Peroso jewellery store, who wished to remain anonymous, expressed profound distress. “The value of the loot has not yet been quantified,” they stated. “We do not feel protected. We are fragile in the face of such incidents. We are honest people who work hard. And then we have to deal with these events, which represent a significant loss for us.”
Second Attempted Robbery on the Same Night
Just minutes after the Peroso heist, at approximately 3:30 AM, another jewellery store on Via Emanuele Filiberto was targeted. In this instance, the modus operandi appeared similar, with the thieves attempting to force their way in. However, their efforts to breach the reinforced doors were unsuccessful, and they fled empty-handed. Investigators are now working to determine if the same gang was responsible for both incidents.
Jewellers Under Siege: A Pattern of Attacks
The owner of the Peroso jewellery store is reportedly a cousin of another jeweller in the Porta Pia area who has suffered two similar ‘visits’ in the past two months. On Tuesday, March 17, around 3:30 AM, bandits managed to breach the entrance of that establishment, forcing open the shutter and then using mallets to attack the armoured door. For unknown reasons, they were unable to proceed further and escaped in two cars. A similar theft occurred at the same location in January.
At that time, Alfredo Paolo Peroso, the jeweller from Porta Pia, told RomaToday: “For me, every single incident is a burden, especially in a particularly difficult time for business. We keep going because of the relationship we have built with our loyal clientele over the years. Now we are here to count the damages and the costs.”
Police Investigation Underway
The police have launched an investigation into the robberies. Authorities are examining surveillance footage and gathering evidence from both crime scenes. The possibility that the stolen equipment from the fire brigade, which has been reported recently, might be used in such heists is also being considered.
The incidents highlight a growing concern among local businesses, particularly jewellers, regarding security and the increasing audacity of criminal gangs. The recent wave of robberies has prompted calls for greater protection and more effective measures to deter such crimes.
Source: https://www.romatoday.it/cronaca/furto-gioielleria-via-sistina-banda-audi.html
