Shots fired in attempted robbery

ROME--A gunfight erupted between security guards and armed bandits disguised as dustmen near the crowded Via Tiburtina this morning, police said.

 The thieves' targetted an armoured van parked outside the post office on the corner of Via Marcotti and Via Simoni in the Pietralata district, police sources said. The van was there to transfer cash from the postal bank, and the accompanying guards thought nothing of two dustmen on a scooter nearby. These were, in fact, armed criminals who had procured uniforms belonging to Ama, Rome’s ubiquitous rubbish collection authority, in order to inconspicuously await their chance to attack.

 Security guards were loading money into the van when the thieves finally struck, brandishing pistols. Shots were exchanged and one of two assailants fell to the ground, a bullet in the leg. His accomplice fled the scene. No guards were injured in the exchange, although at least one bullet is reported to have hit the security van.

 The attempted robbery occurred at 8.15am when the street was busy with commuters, meaning shocked passersby were able to give a detailed description of the second assailant. Armed with this information, police officers were able to identify and arrest him only minutes later in the vicinity of the Tiburtina train station.

It is not yet known whether he had any stolen cash on his person at the time of his arrest. The injured party was taken to hospital. The names of the accused have not been released, but both are thought to be Romans and in their 50s.

 jp-rb