Three armed Albanian youths carried out a robbery at a phone shop on Via Bologna 76 in Prato, Italy, stealing dozens of devices and cash in a coordinated attack, according to initial reports.
The incident occurred while the store owner, Dara Igdalia Gudiel, originally from Honduras, and her partner were inside the shop. The suspects, described as wearing hoods and carrying firearms, entered the premises and immediately threatened the couple, ordering them to remain silent while they searched the store.
Witness accounts indicate that the robbery was organized, with one of the attackers issuing commands while the other two collected merchandise and money. The perpetrators reportedly inspected shelves and the cash register, ultimately taking around 20 mobile phones—including approximately 15 iPhones—as well as €3,000 in cash. After completing the theft, the suspects fled the scene in a Fiat 500.
The victims contacted police shortly after the attackers left. Speaking to investigators, the owner stated that the business had been operating since 2024 and had never experienced such an incident before. “When they entered, the fear was overwhelming—it felt like a scene from a movie. They ordered us to stay quiet and hand over the money,” she said.
Authorities are also examining a possible link to two young men who had entered the shop roughly 15 minutes before the robbery, allegedly asking for information about a phone. The owner believes they may have been connected to the armed suspects, suggesting the possibility of premeditated surveillance.
Italian police have launched an investigation to reconstruct the sequence of events and identify the escape route used by the attackers. The case adds to growing concerns about organized criminal activity involving individuals from the Balkans, including Albania and Kosovo, operating across parts of Europe.
Law enforcement officials are currently reviewing surveillance footage and gathering witness statements to track down the suspects and determine whether additional accomplices were involved.
Oculus News will continue to follow this developing story.