Professional Bank Heist in Naples: Safe Deposit Boxes Targeted

Armed robbers held 25 people hostage for two hours at a Crédit Agricole bank branch in Naples before escaping through a tunnel leading into the city’s sewer system, according to multiple verified reports.

The robbery took place on April 17, 2026, at approximately 11:30am local time, when three masked gunmen entered the branch in the Arenella district and locked staff, customers and the manager in a room. Despite being armed, the robbers did not use violence during the incident, as confirmed by one hostage who spoke to Fanpage.it.

Police surrounded the bank shortly after the robbery began, with around 40 officers and sniffer dogs deployed to the scene. Hostages were freed shortly after 1:30pm following a swift police response, with no serious injuries reported. Naples Prefect Michele di Bari confirmed that all hostages were released safely and later stated that emergency responders had to smash windows to enter the building and assist in the evacuation.

After the hostages were released, authorities discovered that the robbers had escaped through a hole in the bank’s floor, which led into the municipal sewer system. The company managing Naples’s water network has since been inspecting the sewers as part of the investigation. Local media reported that the escape route resembled a “movie-like heist,” prompting police to suspect the possible involvement of an inside accomplice.

The robbers specifically targeted the contents of dozens of safe deposit boxes, indicating a shift in criminal tactics toward high-value, untraceable assets rather than cash from tellers or ATMs. According to Fanpage, there was no cash inside the bank at the time of the robbery. The Naples prosecutor Nicola Gratteri was present at the scene during the investigation.

The incident has highlighted vulnerabilities in urban infrastructure security, particularly the risk posed by underground utility lines and sewage systems being exploited to bypass traditional security measures. Officials have emphasized the need for comprehensive site surveys that map adjacent infrastructure to prevent similar “invisible” escapes in the future.