They blew up vending machines to steal cigarettes: two arrests with electronic bracelets

The State Police of Catania has executed a personal precautionary measure order, issued by the Judge for Preliminary Investigations of the Court of Catania, which has imposed house arrest with electronic bracelet on a 47-year-old and a 43-year-old. According to the accusatory framework accepted by the GIP, in light of the currently available circumstantial evidence, the suspects are charged with aggravated theft in concert and possession of explosive material. "The restrictive measure summarizes the outcomes of an investigation focused on theft incidents targeting cigarette vending machines, carried out using homemade explosive devices," reads a statement.

During the incursions, dating back to June of last year, the two suspects allegedly detonated the equipment in order to steal the processed tobacco and the cash stored inside.

The investigations conducted by the Robbery Section of the Mobile Squad, through the meticulous examination of numerous surveillance systems and subsequently through targeted searches at the suspects' homes, have allowed "to compile a significant circumstantial framework against the two individuals of such gravity as to permit the issuance of custodial measures."

At the end of the formalities, both suspects were placed under house arrest at their respective homes.