On 29 January 2025, an operation by the Italian State Police led to the dismantling of a suspected criminal gang specialising in thefts and robberies targeting lorry drivers. The investigation, conducted by the Milan Traffic Police Section and coordinated by the Public Prosecutor's Office at the Milan Court, resulted in the issuance of nine pre-trial detention orders, four of which have already been carried out with arrests. The operation stemmed from numerous reports of thefts and robberies affecting truck drivers and logistics operators. Investigators documented eleven confirmed incidents, which occurred mainly in service areas around Milan.
According to the reconstruction carried out by the investigators, the criminals operated at night, targeting heavy goods vehicles parked in rest areas. They used stolen vehicles to approach lorries, forcing open the rear doors or threatening drivers to seize the cargo. The stolen goods, often high-value items such as electronics, clothing, and food products, were subsequently sold through illegal channels. The four arrested individuals are aged between 22 and 49. The charges against them include criminal conspiracy for the purpose of receiving stolen goods, robbery, and theft against haulage operators. The investigation also involved officers from the Traffic Police Sections of Lecco, Pavia, and Varese, as well as the Busto Arsizio-Olgiate Olona Motorway Subsection, who provided operational support.
