An incautious phone call brought down the entire criminal system of the tobacconist gang, specialized in rapid and carefully planned thefts.
Article Key Points
The Carabinieri of the Caserta Radiomobile Operations Unit, led by Captain Mario Peccia, executed six orders of house arrest, issued by the GIP of the Court of Santa Maria Capua Vetere, at the request of the local Prosecutor's Office.
The mistake that betrayed them
During a robbery, one of the group members was caught on surveillance cameras talking on the phone with an accomplice who was acting as a lookout. Investigators analyzed the telephone traffic, tracing back cards registered to false names, and started wiretaps, GPS tracking and targeted observations. The evidence collected allowed them to reconstruct three successful thefts and five other failed attempts.
The group, based in Naples in the Ponti Rossi area and with a hierarchical structure, operated with a meticulous modus operandi: the thefts always took place in the lunch break, after careful inspections lasting days, often even at night.
Rental vehicles with false license plates were used, counterfeit keys to access the premises and telephones with cards registered to fictitious people. Communications were made using code names: “Mario” was the most common.
The 53-year-old is the head of the criminal gang Ciro Crooked, component of the Red Bridges Breakaway Band specialized in thefts of luxury clothing stores and a 27-year-old, who managed the logistics and inspections. The other members acted as lookout, driver or material perpetrators of the thefts. The robbery was divided into two stages: the break-in with the stolen goods and the subsequent recovery with escape on board a car.
The investigation, launched after the victims' complaints, also allowed to document five failed attempts and brought to light the entire network of the organization. The wiretaps, the analysis of the telephone cells and the GPS tracking of vehicles, in addition to surveillance camera footage. The suspects are charged with criminal association and aggravated theft.
The modus operandi: textbook precision
The gang acted with almost military method:
Weekly inspections to study timetables, escape routes and safety systems.
Shadowings of the tobacconist to find out his habits.
Counterfeit keys made after photographing locks and padlocks.
Vehicles with false license plates and a “guard” car to cover the escape.
The shots were fired always during the lunch breakin less than 15 minutes, with two disguised thieves emptying the shops cigarettes and scratch cards, while a third remained behind the wheel.
The three successful thefts
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30 January 2024 – Tobacconist's San Prisco: €8.000 worth of tobacco, €1.800 worth of scratch cards and €4.500 in cash.
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February 14, 2024 – Location San Clemente (Caserta): €15.000 worth of goods and €1.000 in cash.
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5 March 2024 - Maddaloni: €3.000 worth of cigarettes and €2.400 scratch cards.
The hierarchical structure of the group
At the head of the organization:
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Ciro Storto, 53 years old, it's a 27 year old from Giugliano (operational brains).
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Un 57enne (pole) and a 65enne (driver).
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Un 52enne and a 34enne (material executors).
To communicate, they used anonymous cell phones and code name “Mario” for all members.
Article published on 29 April 2025 - 09:16
The article examines an interesting case of a gang of tobacconists who were arrested. It is surprising how a mistake in a phone call led to their capture. The details of the thefts are well described, but it would be useful to have more information about the legal consequences.