Sortino banks targeted in organized ATM heist using excavator

A highly organized criminal group targeted two banks in Sortino, in the province of Syracuse, conducting a coordinated heist during the night. The group, estimated to consist of approximately 12 individuals, used a stolen excavator to uproot and steal ATMs belonging to Monte dei Paschi di Siena and Banca Agricola Popolare di Sicilia.

To facilitate their escape and hinder law enforcement, the perpetrators used a stolen truck to block road access to the town center. The group utilized three vehicles to flee the scene. While the exact amount of stolen cash is still being determined, the attack caused significant structural damage to the bank branches.

This incident is part of a growing trend of sophisticated ATM robberies in the Syracuse province, with 11 such attacks reported since the beginning of the year. Authorities are currently reviewing surveillance footage to identify the specialized group, which appears to be highly skilled in using heavy machinery and explosives.