World · Europe · 2 hrs ago
Twelve people face precautionary measures in tobacco shop theft investigation
Italian Carabinieri investigating thefts across Lecco, Bergamo, Milan and Monza say 12 people face precautionary measures over an alleged criminal group.
The investigation began in March 2025 after thefts from tobacco shops and businesses with slot machines.
Investigators say the group had different roles, including scouting shops, stealing goods and reselling tobacco and scratch cards.
They estimate the stolen goods were worth about €500,000 in total.
Police seized 350 kilograms of tobacco worth more than €300,000 at a tobacco shop in the Milan area that investigators say was used to resell stolen goods.
The court ordered six people held in prison, two placed under house arrest and four given other restrictions.
The measures have not yet reached everyone: the reports differ on how many people have been found, and searches for those still missing continue.
The case remains under preliminary investigation, and those accused are presumed innocent unless convicted.
Carabinieri in Lecco said they had dismantled a group suspected of stealing tobacco, scratch cards and cash from slot machines.
A Lecco judge ordered precautionary measures against 12 people, including six people ordered held in prison.
The group is accused of carrying out thefts across the provinces of Lecco, Bergamo, Milan and Monza.
Investigators estimate the value of the stolen goods at about €500,000.
Police seized 350 kilograms of tobacco worth more than €300,000 at a tobacco shop in the Milan area.
- Who
- Twelve people suspected of belonging to a theft and resale group; the group was mostly Romanian, according to investigators.
- What
- A judge ordered precautionary measures against 12 people in an investigation into thefts from tobacco shops and slot-machine venues.
- When
- The measures were carried out on 29 October 2026; the investigation began in March 2025.
- Where
- The alleged thefts took place in the provinces of Lecco, Bergamo, Milan and Monza.
- Why
- Investigators say the group stole tobacco, scratch cards and cash to resell goods and collect scratch-card winnings.
This story does not have two clearly opposing sides.
The investigation began after a series of thefts of tobacco and cash from slot machines.
Carabinieri carried out the precautionary measures ordered by a Lecco judge.
- Precautionary measures
- 12 people
- Measures specified
- Six in prison, two under house arrest and four subject to reporting or residence restrictions
- Estimated proceeds
- About €500,000
- Seized tobacco
- 350 kilograms, worth more than €300,000
- Alleged operating area
- Lecco, Bergamo, Milan and Monza