The victim, a local baker, had reported the extortion after joining the Secondigliano anti-racketeering association (FAI). The other afternoon, police at the Secondigliano police station arrested Vincenzo De Cicco, a 55-year-old already known to law enforcement and believed to be connected to the Sacco clan of Scampia.
The man was caught on Via del Cassano immediately after receiving €740 from the victim, the first installment of a total demand of €6.000. The operation, coordinated by the Naples District Anti-Mafia Directorate, was conducted by investigators from the police station headed by Deputy Commissioner Tommaso Pintauro. De Cicco was caught red-handed as he fled with the money.
The victim had contacted the anti-racketeering association. The arrest was made possible by the complaint filed by the baker, a local business owner in the bakery industry. The man, a recent member of the anti-racketeering association "Fai" of Secondigliano "Nicola Barbato," had displayed the relevant sign in front of his business. Despite this, the extortionist still attempted to carry out the demand for money.
The victim decided to report the incident, allowing the police to organize the swift raid that led to De Cicco's capture. The Naples DDA's investigation is now continuing to identify any accomplices.
The news is important for the area, but some doubts remain: the baker joined the FAI association and put up the sign, but the extortionist still looked for him. The police responded quickly, but it seems there are still accomplices, and many things don't add up, because the situation is complex.