Naples – It was just after 4:40 a.m. when a loud bang shattered the silence of Via Consalvo, in the heart of the Fuorigrotta neighborhood. Some residents, startled awake, saw a now sadly familiar scene: a torn-off shutter, shattered windows, and a group of men rushing past a pharmacy at number 66.
The alarm was raised immediately: the Carabinieri of the Bagnoli Company's mobile radio section arrived on the scene, supported by a patrol from the Naples mobile radio unit, after the report reached the operations center.
The escape before the coup
By the time law enforcement arrived, the thieves had already fled. They left behind clear signs of rapid and violent action: the shutter completely smashed and the front door glass shattered.
According to initial reconstructions, the criminals—at least two, but there could be more—fled in a high-powered car, likely stolen, managing to disappear within moments.
Initial investigations revealed that nothing had been stolen, perhaps because the arrival of patrols interrupted the operation before the thieves could fully enter the premises. However, the damage to the pharmacy was extensive, and the business remained closed while technical inspections were carried out.
Ongoing investigations and suspicions about a specialized gang
I Carabinieri They have started investigations to trace the identity of those responsible, combing through surveillance cameras in the area.
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Investigators have not ruled out the possibility that the raid was carried out by a gang specializing in nighttime burglaries targeting pharmacies and tobacconists, a group already reported in recent weeks in Fuorigrotta, Pianura, and Agnano.
In recent months, there has been an increase in break-ins, a violent and lightning-fast technique that involves using cars as battering rams to smash shutters and windows. Thieves often target modest-value loot—cash or medications—but leave behind thousands of euros in damage.
Concerned residents: "We're being held hostage by thieves at night."
The episode on Via Consalvo shocked the local community. Many residents of Fuorigrotta have been complaining for some time about an increase in thefts and damages at night.
"We can't sleep soundly here anymore," says Antonio, a local resident. "Every week we hear about a shop or pharmacy being hit. We need more security and working cameras."
Even the shopkeepers are exasperated: "We're left alone," says Giovanna, owner of a nearby bar. "We hear the sirens often, but then nothing changes. The thieves always come back."
The trail of thefts in the neighborhood
In recent months, several businesses along Via Consalvo, Via Giacomo Leopardi, and Via Caio Duilio have been targeted by criminals. In some cases, the thieves have used the same modus operandi: lightning-fast raids between 3 and 5 a.m., fleeing in high-performance vehicles, and leaving no immediate leads.
Investigators are now evaluating whether last night's raid could also be connected to this series of break-ins that is worrying the entire western part of the city.
Comments (1)
These thefts are becoming more and more frequent, and even at home, it's hard to stay safe. The thieves are acting violently, and the police don't seem to be doing enough. An urgent solution is needed to ensure the neighborhood's safety.