The Carabinieri of the Cerignola Company, coordinated by the Foggia Public Prosecutor's Office, carried out a major anti-robbery operation, dismantling a criminal organization dedicated to ATM attacks with explosives.
The arrest of five suspects, aged between 20 and 26 (four in the province of Foggia, one in the Catania area), is just the tip of the iceberg of a larger investigation involving 13 people.
The destructive technique of the “marmot”
The group's modus operandi was highly specialized and dangerous. They employed the so-called "marmot" technique: a homemade, high-explosive explosive device inserted into the security doors. The explosion, in addition to forcing open the safes, caused extensive damage to the structures. For travel, they used high-powered cars, stolen or rented, often with cloned license plates.
Pre-ordered roles and a €40 prize
The organization, with its logistical base in the municipalities of Cerignola, Orta Nova, and Carapelle, operated with military precision. Each member was assigned specific roles: drivers, lookouts, couriers, and perpetrators. The indictment concerns five attacks, committed or attempted between September and October 2025 in Puglia, Campania, and Marche, for a total haul of approximately €40.000.
Seizures and prevention activities
During the searches, the military seized an illegal pistol and explosive sticks, useful material for making new explosive devices. The investigation also had a crucial preventative effect: according to law enforcement agencies in Central and Southern Italy, they prevented at least 16 potential attacks.
On two occasions, these activities led to the control of suspects in Statte (TA) and the arrest in flagrante of two men in Galatone (LE), found in a car with over 100 explosive sticks.
The judicial framework
Three of the five arrested have already been taken into custody by order of the investigating judges of Foggia and Catania. Two more suspects were also arrested in flagrante delicto for possession of explosives, bringing the total number of those currently detained to five. The proceedings are in the preliminary phase, and all suspects, whose positions are being examined by the judicial authorities, are presumed innocent until a final sentence is reached.
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Comments (1)
It's strange how these groups manage to organize themselves so well, but I wonder if the police didn't know anything beforehand. €40 is certainly a nice haul for such a risky robbery.