A 33-year-old Albanian citizen has been arrested in Tirana, Albania, after being held in custody by the preliminary investigations judge of the Court of Santa Maria Capua Vetere. The man is seriously suspected, in the preliminary investigation phase, of attempted murder and assault against members of the Caserta Flying Squad.
The events date back to last May, when investigators were about to execute a restraining order against the 33-year-old linked to a definitive sentence of 9 years, 9 months, and one day in prison for a series of thefts and robberies committed in homes and commercial establishments.
Officers had located the wanted man in Grazzanise and arranged for his capture. The man was driving a car, which was also carrying his partner and sister.
According to investigators' reconstruction, during the operation, the 33-year-old attempted to escape by reversing and hitting several Flying Squad vehicles. The patrol cars were positioned to prevent him from escaping, but the wanted man then allegedly struck one of the officers, dragging him to the ground and throwing him onto the asphalt until he was knocked unconscious.
Taking advantage of the turmoil, the man apparently managed to escape. In the following days, he left Italy for Albania.
The capture in Albania
Following the investigation, the Public Prosecutor's Office of Santa Maria Capua Vetere requested and obtained a precautionary detention order from the investigating judge. The Public Prosecutor's Office at the Ordinary Court of Naples then took steps to internationalize the order.
A Red Notice was issued against the 33-year-old. The measure was subsequently executed by the Albanian Criminal Police Department, through its Operational Force, in collaboration with the Service for International Police Cooperation and at the instigation of the Office of the Security Expert in Tirana.
The Caserta Flying Squad, the Central Operations Service of the State Police, and the International Police Cooperation Service participated in the investigation. Caserta investigators traveled to Albania to assist in the search and location of the wanted man. News of the arrest was also reported in the local press.
The operation is part of the "Wanted" project, promoted to identify and capture fugitives deemed to be particularly dangerous criminals, also through collaboration with foreign police authorities.
The proceedings are currently in the preliminary investigation phase. The 33-year-old is therefore considered innocent until a final verdict is reached.
The precautionary measure was adopted based on the evidence gathered during the investigative phase and within a still limited cross-examination. It will be up to the trial judge to assess the defendant's responsibilities on the merits and the possible existence of any charges.
