- A gang of armed robbers ambushed a cash-in-transit van in Tuturano, Italy, using burning vehicles to block the highway.
- The attack, which occurred on February 9, 2026, involved at least six masked individuals who utilized explosives to breach the armored truck.
- Witnesses reported gunfire and military-style rifles being used, but no fatalities have been confirmed following the incident.
TUTURANO, ITALY — Viral video is fueling outrage across Italy after a gang of armed robbers staged a dramatic highway assault on a cash-in-transit van near the town of Tuturano, using burning vehicles to block traffic before blasting into the armored truck and firing shots to keep witnesses back.
The attack unfolded early Monday, February 9, 2026, on the SS613 corridor that links the Brindisi and Lecce areas in Italy’s Puglia region—an important route that was temporarily shut down as emergency crews and investigators moved in.
How The Ambush Unfolded
Investigators say the crew—reported by Italian outlets to include at least six people, and possibly more—arrived in coordinated fashion wearing masks and jumpsuits, then used multiple vehicles to seal off both sides of the highway. Several of those vehicles were set on fire, creating a barrier that halted motorists and slowed any immediate response.
With traffic immobilized, the robbers targeted the armored van and used explosives to force access to the rear area, triggering a powerful blast captured in widely shared clips.
Gunfire, Explosives, And A Fast Escape
Witness accounts and published reports describe the attackers firing weapons—including references to military-style rifles—apparently to intimidate guards and keep bystanders at a distance. Despite the gunfire and explosion, no deaths were reported in initial coverage of the incident.
The amount of money on board has not been publicly confirmed. Several Italian reports also indicated the heist may not have succeeded in fully accessing the cash compartment, with some suggesting defensive countermeasures complicated the robbery.
Manhunt Ends With Detentions, Others Still Sought
A multi-agency search followed across the surrounding area. By Monday night, two suspects had been detained, according to Italian reporting, while investigators continued working to identify and locate any remaining participants.
Similar Highway Heists Have Hit Italy In Recent Months
The assault follows other major armored-vehicle robberies reported in Italy, including a high-value highway attack in Calabria in December 2025 and another robbery on the A14 near Ortona in early January 2026—incidents that investigators and local reporting have linked to highly organized crews specializing in “assalto al portavalori” attacks.
For more cases involving high-risk robberies and organized highway heists, check out our video here:
