Naples: Serial thieves planned to target the villas of Fendi and the Governor of the Bank of Italy.

The investigation by the North Naples Prosecutor's Office into seven gangs of serial thieves, which has led to 38 people being arrested, reconstructs the criminal network composed of seven interconnected syndicates specializing in residential burglaries, receiving stolen goods, and defrauding the elderly. Monitoring, wiretapping, and tailing led to the raid that took place at dawn today.

A sixteen-month investigation: complaints, wiretaps, and shadowing

The massive investigation coordinated by the Naples North Prosecutor's Office and conducted by the Naples Carabinieri Investigative Unit began with a single complaint, filed on June 16, 2023, by a woman who was the victim of a burglary in her home in Casoria.

From that first, apparently isolated incident, investigators began to glimpse a broader pattern: recurring operational methods, "dedicated" phones, suspicious movements, and a network of individuals moving with well-defined roles.

Between June 2023 and October 2024, 50 individuals and 18 vehicles were monitored. The investigative activities included 82 wiretaps, 47 acquisitions of telephone and internet traffic, three environmental wiretaps (on vehicles and homes), three wiretaps, two remote surveillance cameras, and 20 surveillance, control, and shadowing operations. Five vehicles were seized as evidence.

A cross-analysis of phone records, conversations, and video surveillance images allowed investigators to attribute each individual crime to specific criminal groups, revealing the existence of seven autonomous yet interconnected criminal organizations, capable of collaborating or exchanging personnel and information as needed.

A key aspect of the investigation was the systematic use of older cell phones, often Nokia GSM, with SIM cards registered to non-existent foreign citizens. This constituted a veritable "closed circuit" of communication, designed to evade surveillance and spyware infections.

Site inspections in Fregene: prime villas in the spotlight

During the investigation, a disturbing aspect also emerged in the Lazio region. One of the gangs, traced back to the group led by Alfredo Massimo, had advanced as far as Fregene, on the Roman coast, home to some of Italy's most luxurious villas. Among the targets were the residences of the Fendi family and that of the Governor of the Bank of Italy.

The on-site inspections, carried out both day and night, had, however, convinced the thieves to desist: advanced security systems, surveillance, and logistical difficulties had made the heists too risky. This detail, however, provides a measure of the criminal ambition of the gangs and their ability to plan high-profile heists.

1) Pasquale Caiazza's group: the "family" drums

The first group identified is headed by Pasquale Caiazza, supported by his father Mauro Caiazza, known as "Maurizio," and his cousin-in-law Dario Marra, nicknamed "Tigre." A group with a strong family connection, well-established and particularly active.

Alfredo Massimo also participated in their activities on several occasions, while maintaining his own operational autonomy. This very gang is held responsible for the theft of Rosa Tucci, the incident that sparked the entire investigation.

Investigators were able to definitively place Caiazza, Marra, and Massimo in Casoria on the day of the robbery, thanks to cross-referencing phone records and location data. The group's criminal expertise also emerged in the November 14, 2023, robbery in Portici, at Elena Dandolo's home: despite a flat tire on the car used in the robbery, a Fiat Bravo, the thieves managed to steal a safe containing €25 in cash.

The Caiazza gang was capable of committing multiple thefts in a single day, frequently switching SIM cards to throw off the investigation. The stolen jewelry then ended up on the black market through Alessandro Russo, their preferred fence.

2) Alfredo Massimo's group, known as “'o Gemello”

The central figure in the entire investigation is Alfredo Massimo, known as "'o Gemello," a well-known figure in the criminal world. Since December 2023, he has been operating independently with his sons Vincenzo and Alessandro Massimo and his nephew Emanuele Marotta.

His group was distinguished by a more aggressive modus operandi: nighttime reconnaissance, often carried out alone by Massimo himself, and a network of "basemen" ready to point out attractive targets. Among them were Vincenzo Moccia, known as "Bambulella," and Carmine Di Napoli.

Massimo was also contacted by other individuals, such as Michele Esposito, who pointed out vulnerable homes and businesses he'd noticed during his work as a delivery driver. The group's reach extended well beyond Naples, reaching as far as Benevento and Lazio.

It's in this context that the contact with Silvio De Cubellis, a convicted felon living in the province of Rome, emerges. He allegedly hired Massimo for a hit in Fregene. The plan was aborted, but it reveals the high level of criminal ambition.

3) Salvatore Di Napoli's group, known as “'o Nanuccio”

The third syndicate revolved around Salvatore Di Napoli, known as "'o Nanuccio." Working alongside him were his partner Sara Marino, his nephew Ciro Talotti, his son-in-law Ivan Sperati, and, at times, Alfredo Massimo himself.

Talotti's arrest, which took place on November 9, 2023, in Angri, marked a turning point, undermining the internal balance. Relations between Di Napoli and Massimo gradually deteriorated, primarily due to differences in operational methods. This led to Di Napoli's decision to rely more heavily on his son-in-law Sperati.

The group operated mainly between the southern province of Naples, the border with Salerno, the Vesuvian area and the Aversa countryside, systematically using Lycamobile numbers registered to non-existent front men.

4) Ciro Fabiano's group: the lock specialists

In early 2024, Massimo explored a partnership with the group led by Ciro Fabiano, supported by Enrico Parisi and Maurizio Cangiano. This group is known for its high level of specialization in opening the latest-generation European locks.

After several joint inspections, Massimo, however, chose to withdraw, refusing a secondary role. The Fabiano group continued to operate between Naples, Avellino, Benevento, and finally Frosinone, where he was arrested on February 22, 2024.

In this case too, the stolen jewelry was sold to Alessandro Russo or to the Gallotti jewelry store in Borgo Orefici, Naples.

5) The groups of Giuseppe Grammatico and Gennaro Rizzo

The investigation then shed light on two other criminal organizations. The first, led by Giuseppe Grammatico, was active in both residential burglaries and "mirror" scams targeting the elderly. The discovery of Grammatico's "work" cell phone, lost during a burglary, was crucial in reconstructing its structure.

The second group was led by Gennaro Rizzo, who continued to commit crimes despite being under house arrest, repeatedly violating the statute of limitations. Roberto Micillo and Paolo Monaco also operated alongside him.

6) Dario Marra's new group

Having escaped arrest on February 8, 2024, Dario Marra quickly reorganized a new criminal gang in the Traiano district, involving Lucio Russo, Salvatore Autiero, and Aniello Di Napoli.

Marra continued to use the same phone he had previously tapped, allowing the Carabinieri to reconstruct this new network. Among those involved were Gennaro Guarracino and Maria Pia Iovine, who were involved in at least three robberies before their arrest.

The complete list of suspects

Giuseppe Agerola, born in Naples on January 11, 1983;

Salvatore Autiero, born in Naples on December 23, 1982;

Antonietta Caiazza, born in Naples on January 17, 1968;

Mauro Caiazza, born in Naples on March 21, 1971;

Pasquale Caiazza, born in Pollena Trocchia (Naples) on 26 July 1994;

Maurizio Cangiano, born in Mugnano di Napoli on 23 February 1982;

Salvatore Cangiano, born in Naples on 26 April 1973;

Luigi Cavuoto, born in Naples on June 28, 1975;

Antonio Corduas, born in Naples on 1 October 1990;

Aniello Di Napoli, born in Naples on December 26, 1988;

Carmine Di Napoli, born in Naples on January 26, 1956;

Salvatore Di Napoli, born in Naples on 28 October 1960;

Michele Esposito, born in Naples on January 6, 1984;

Ciro Fabiano, born in Naples on 20 July 1958;

Gennaro Grammatico, born in Naples on December 5, 1981;

Giuseppe Grammatico, born in Naples on February 4, 1977;

Gennaro Guarracino, born in Naples on March 11, 1978;

Maria Pia Iovine, born in Naples on November 7, 1998;

Antonio Leporanico, born in Naples on March 8, 1949;

Pasquale Maglione, born in Naples on February 16, 1977;

Sara Marino, born in Naples on March 3, 1981;

Emanuele Marotta, born in Naples on 30 July 1993;

Dario Marra, born in Naples on November 19, 1987;

Alessandro Massimo, born in Naples on 6 September 1996;

Alfredo Massimo, born in Naples on January 10, 1966;

Vincenzo Massimo, born in Naples on May 9, 1991;

Angelo Michelini, born in Naples on January 31, 1988;

Roberto Micillo, born in Naples on 13 October 1996;

Maurizio Minichini, born in Naples on 4 December 1975;

Vincenzo Moccia, born in Naples on 19 October 1975;

Paolo Monaco, born in Naples on May 31, 1964;

Enrico Parisi, born in Naples on 7 December 1988;

Pasquale Pisa, born in Naples on 13 September 1992;

Gennaro Rizzo, born in Naples on September 11, 1980;

Alessandro Russo, born in Naples on August 8, 1990;

Lucio Russo, born in Naples on 21 April 1971;

Ivan Sperati, born in Naples on 21 June 1983;

Ciro Talotti, born in Naples on February 2, 1983.