Extortion in Ponticelli: Vincenzo Valentino 'o veloce appears before the investigating judge today

Naples – The investigation into the attempted extortion of a forklift company in the Ponticelli neighborhood is entering a crucial phase. The preliminary hearing for Vincenzo Valentino, known as 'O Veloce, the 37-year-old Neapolitan man recently issued a detention order, is scheduled for noon today, March 5, 2026.

The suspect, currently detained at the Naples-Secondigliano prison, will answer questions from Dr. Donatella Bove, preliminary investigations judge of the Court of Naples, via a video link. Assisting him in his meeting with the judicial authorities will be his legal counsel, Luca Gili of the Santa Maria Capua Vetere Bar Association.

The shadow of the clan and the aggravating circumstance of mafia

The indictment outlined by investigators is serious: Valentino is charged with attempted extortion aggravated by mafia methods, a crime he allegedly committed in conjunction with other members of the De Micco clan.

According to the Prosecutor's Office's reconstruction, the group attempted to force a €30.000 bribe from the owner of a freight handling company. To break the victim's resistance, the suspects explicitly referenced his membership in the dominant clan in the eastern part of the city.

The punitive expedition on the Lancia Y

At the center of the investigation is a specific incident that occurred on February 9th. Valentino has been identified as one of the members of the commando who showed up at the company headquarters to deliver the extortion "message."

According to investigative findings, the intimidating expedition took place aboard a blue Lancia Y, a vehicle that allowed investigators to cross-reference data and trace the identities of the participants. Today's questioning will serve to clarify the 37-year-old's position and verify the validity of the prosecution's case in light of the defense strategy the lawyer will adopt.