After a "movie-like chase" through the streets of Ostia, Rome, Italy, a young Cuban man was apprehended by police while attempting to flee in an area known as one of the main drug trafficking hubs on the Roman coast.
The chase began on the Duca degli Abruzzi waterfront, shortly before 11 PM on September 3, and concluded in the early hours of September 4 in the dangerous "Lotti" area, where the 29-year-old Cuban was arrested, according to local media reports that have not disclosed his name.
A patrol from the Ostia police station noticed a rental Citroën C4 speeding along the waterfront, which raised suspicions. When the officers attempted to stop the vehicle for a check, the driver ignored the stop signal and accelerated. During the escape, he ran two red lights and made a reckless maneuver by driving against traffic on one of the streets.
The chase intensified until the Citroën crashed into barriers on Vasco de Gama Avenue and also collided with several parked cars. The two occupants of the vehicle immediately fled on foot in different directions.
The Cuban, carrying a backpack, tried to hide in an apartment in the "Lotti" area, but officers intercepted him before he could enter. Chaos erupted inside the apartment as several immigrants inside jumped out of first-floor windows to avoid police capture.
The Cuban was taken to the police station, where officers found burglary tools and a backpack containing stolen valuables, including several watches still with their tags. He is charged with resisting a public official and receiving stolen goods.
Investigations revealed that the Cuban lived in an apartment rented with other Latin Americans, which may have been used as a hideout to divide the loot from the thefts. This month, four Cuban nationals in irregular situations were arrested and immediately expelled from Italy after being caught with burglary tools and narcotics, according to authorities from the Verbania municipality police station.
In June, Italian carabinieri arrested 22-year-old Cuban Edgar Molina, who had a clandestine laboratory in the basement of his Rome home, where he manufactured an arsenal of weapons and ammunition.
FAQs about Recent Cuban Arrests in Italy
Here are some frequently asked questions and answers regarding the recent arrests of Cuban nationals in Italy, particularly related to criminal activities and law enforcement actions.
What led to the arrest of the Cuban man in Ostia?
The Cuban man was arrested after a high-speed chase through Ostia, Rome, when he attempted to flee in an area known for drug trafficking.
What was found in the possession of the arrested Cuban man?
Police found burglary tools and a backpack containing stolen valuables, including several watches with their tags still on.
Were there other recent arrests of Cuban nationals in Italy?
Yes, this month four Cuban nationals were arrested and expelled from Italy for possession of burglary tools and narcotics. Additionally, in June, Cuban Edgar Molina was arrested for running a clandestine weapons laboratory.