Assault on armored vehicles on the Aurelia: here are the names of those arrested in Sardinia

Eleven names, one charge: that of being part of an organization involved in serious and complex crimes. The precautionary measure of prison has been triggered for as many people, all involved, in various capacities, in the serious crimes contested following the assault on the armored vehicles on the Variante Aurelia – in San Vincenzo, Tuscany – last March 28. A three million euro heist.

These are Alberto Mura (1985), resident in Ottana; Antonio Moni (1979), domiciled in Castelnuovo Val di Cecina; Francesco Palmas (1980) from Jerzu; Francesco Rocca (1978) from Orotelli; Franco Piras (1979) resident in Bari Sardo; Giovanni Columbu (1985) from Ollolai; Marco Sulis (1989) domiciled in Villagrande Strisaili; Nicola Fois (1992) from Girasole; Renzo Cherchi (1986) resident in Irgoli; Salvatore Campus (1974) from Olzai and Salvatore Giovanni Antonio Tilocca (1980) from Ozieri, but resident in Bottidda. Antonio Stochino (1978) from Arzana is instead under investigation at large: the judge rejected the request for precautionary measures by the Livorno prosecutor for him.

The operation was conducted by the Carabinieri of the Provincial Command of Livorno , with the support of numerous special units of the force, including the Ros, the Gis – Special Intervention Group, the 1st Parachute Regiment “Tuscania”, the Helicopter Squadrons “Cacciatori” of Sardinia and Sicily, the Helicopter Units of Pisa and Elmas, the SOS of the Tuscany and Sardinia Battalions, and the Dog Unit of Florence.

Over 300 soldiers were involved in the execution of a custodial order issued by the investigating judge of the Court of Livorno, at the request of the local Public Prosecutor's Office . The charges include aggravated robbery, possession and carrying in a public place of war weapons, ammunition and explosives, aggravated theft and receiving stolen goods.

The operation in the provinces of Nuoro, Pisa and Bologna, following a complex and detailed investigation launched by the Investigative Unit of Livorno after the violent assault on two cash-in-transit vans that took place on March 28, 2025 on the state road 1 Aurelia, in the municipal territory of San Vincenzo. That day, in broad daylight, an armed commando, with their faces covered and a Sardinian accent, blocked the convoy and took possession of approximately 3 million euros, before quickly disappearing.

The investigations allowed to reconstruct the roles of the individual members of the gang, distinguishing between material perpetrators and subjects with support functions . An organized criminal structure emerged, expert in the use of war weapons and explosives, capable of planning the action months in advance, building alibis, stealing vehicles and preparing every detail with extreme care.