Vittoria, Italy arrests over attempted shop theft and teen kidnapping

In the Sicilian town of Vittoria, police arrested a 62‑year‑old and a 44‑year‑old after they tried to break into a clothing store on a main street. The suspects forced the entrance, fled on foot and then in a Renault van, were pursued by a second patrol and caught without having removed any merchandise. A search uncovered tools used for break‑ins, gloves and boxes, all seized as evidence. The men face charges of aggravated attempted theft, recidivism, resistance to public officials and illegal possession of burglary tools.

Separately, a 17‑year‑old from Vittoria was abducted on 25 September 2025 and released the next day without ransom. The anti‑mafia district directorate led the investigation, eventually linking DNA from a cigarette butt found in the hideout to 22‑year‑old Gabriele Giunta, who was placed in preventive detention. Five people remain under investigation, including former fugitive Gianfranco Stracquada, with further court decisions pending.