A night of madness on the streets of the western outskirts of Naples, with a chase at high speed that crossed some of the busiest points of the city and ended with two Carabinieri injured, two damaged Carabinieri vehicles and three arrests.
It all began in Posillipo, when a report reached 112 of three suspicious individuals loitering among parked cars. Radiomobile patrols responded immediately and located the suspects along the Coroglio descent.
The three were traveling in a Mercedes GLA with a fake license plate taped to it. When the officers ordered them to stop, however, the driver refused to stop. Instead, he slammed his foot on the accelerator, launching a dangerous escape through the city.
The race through the streets of Fuorigrotta
The chase unfolds along a particularly complex and treacherous route. The Mercedes speeds along Via Cattolica and negotiates the sharp curve leading to Via Campegna, one of the most difficult arteries to navigate in the western part of the city, characterized by a narrow roadway, two-lane traffic, and poor nighttime lighting.
Behind them, the Carabinieri patrol cars don't let go. The race continues between traffic lights and busy intersections. Arriving at the church of San Vitale, the SUV crosses the intersection despite the red light, putting motorists and pedestrians at risk.
From there the Mercedes enters the final stretch of Viale Giulio Cesare, crosses the Galleria Laziale and reaches Piazza Sannazzaro, then continues towards Corso Vittorio Emanuele.
Ramming against patrols
In an attempt to stop the escape, other patrols were deployed along the route. In Piedigrotta Square, two cars of the police they position themselves to block the passage of the SUV.
But the fugitives opted for a collision. Without slowing down, the Mercedes struck two Carabinieri vehicles, an Alfa Romeo Tonale and an Alfa Romeo Giulia. The impact injured two Carabinieri officers involved in the operation.
Despite the damage and the imminent encirclement, the three continue to try to gain ground. The blue lights of the flashing lights continue to chase the SUV through the city streets.
The final blitz at Mergellina
The chase ended a few minutes later near the Mergellina Line 2 station. After a chase of nearly seven kilometers, the Carabinieri finally managed to stop the Mercedes.
The three occupants attempted a last desperate escape on foot, but were immediately caught and arrested by the military.
Davide Savarese, 32, Gennaro Chianese, 35, and Vincenzo De Rosa, 21, were arrested. They were charged with dangerous flight, resisting a public officer, assaulting a public officer, and aggravated criminal damage. All are now awaiting trial.
The two Carabinieri injured in the ramming were treated and expected to recover within five days.
An escape that could have turned into tragedy
The incident refocuses attention on the risks associated with urban chases and the circulation of vehicles with altered license plates. The Mercedes sped through some of Naples' busiest areas, from Posillipo to Fuorigrotta and Mergellina, ignoring traffic lights and checkpoints.
Only the coordinated intervention of multiple patrols allowed the fugitives to be stopped and avoided far more serious consequences for motorists, passersby, and the officers involved in the operation.
A night of madness on the streets of Naples, a very long chase, the likes of which are rarely seen; the Carabinieri were injured and the cars were broken, traffic lights were turned red, license plates were attached with adhesive tape. The escape risked many people, but in the end the three stopped and were arrested, but the protocols need to be reviewed.