(ANSA) – BARI, MARCH 26 – They allegedly extorted about 6,000 euros in two months from a small entrepreneur in Corato, in the Bari area, owner of an electrical material business, finally damaging his premises with a paper bomb, in the night between 17 and 18 November 2021, after the refusal of a final payment. For the crimes of aggravated extortion in competition and detention and carrying of explosive devices, the carabinieri arrested four people, three in prison and a 31-year-old under house arrest.
The first extortion request dates back to September 2021, when one of the arrested allegedly asked the entrepreneur 150 euros in exchange for the sale of some work tools, which were later stolen. Thus, a few days later, the entrepreneur would be asked to return the tools and even 300 euros to compensate the owner of the goods for the damage caused by the theft suffered. Then in November, the victim would have been contacted for a further request for 5,000 euros aimed at closing the alleged criminal case which – the arrested had led to believe – had opened on that old theft. They would also have drawn up a fake judicial document and simulated a phone call from a self-styled magistrate from Bari. At that point against the entrepreneur, no longer willing to pay, the threats would begin up to the bomb attack. The investigators, coordinated by the Trani Public Prosecutor’s Office, arrived at the identification of the alleged perpetrators of the extortion and the bombing thanks to the videos of the surveillance systems in the area, the statements of witnesses, the analysis of the telephone records and the contents of the messages between the victim and his alleged abusers. (HANDLE).
Source: Ansa
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