113 received a report of an apartment theft that had just been committed in Matera, in a street not far from the centre, with the precious information that the perpetrators were leaving in a large-engined car, several crews of the Flying Squad and the Flying Squad they followed the thieves’ trail.
The officers, who were also positioned at the exit of the city in the direction of Altamura, soon after saw the car in question arrive at breakneck speed. A heated chase ensued, which lasted until the fleeing car was forced to slow down due to the presence of two trucks, one of which was overtaking, which were blocking the road.
Then the vehicle abruptly stopped moving and three men got out, climbed over the guardrail and ran away into the surrounding countryside. At that point, the police continued the chase on foot, managing to reach and block two of the three fugitives, arresting them.
The two men, aged 34 and 37 from Bari, are already known for similar crimes.
Inside the car, the following were found: 500 euros in banknotes, numerous gold jewellery, two piggy banks containing coins worth over 700 euros and some wristwatches. Also seized were: a backpack with burglary tools and a blowtorch suitable for opening ATMs and safes, stored in the bonnet of the car; mobile phones, two-way radios and electrician’s gloves, found inside the passenger compartment.
The car, also seized, had counterfeit license plates and had been repainted; furthermore, in the passenger compartment, transversally to the rear seats, a steel plate was mounted, which is believed to have a bulletproof function in the event of a chase.
The two subjects were arrested flagrantly for theft and resisting a public official and taken to the Matera prison. Investigations continue to identify the third person who managed to escape capture.
It is stated that the investigations must be understood, subject to further investigation and pending judgement, in respect of the rights of the persons under investigation, the presumption of innocence and the necessary trial verification.
