Three Colombians arrested for theft on Lake Maggiore: one detained in Ticino

Context

TL;DR

• Colombian gang stole CHF 50,000 jewellery in June 2025.
• Thieves stalked victim for weeks, knew hidden compartment.
• All three gang members arrested by April 2026.

Key facts

• Cosa: Furto di gioielli per CHF 50,000
• Quando: Giugno 2025
• Dove: Tra Arona e Stresa, Lago Maggiore
• Chi: Tre cittadini colombiani
• Arresti: Uno arrestato in Ticino il 4 aprile 2026, altri due precedentemente
• Collaborazione: Polizia ticinese, Carabinieri Verbania, autorità francesi
• Metodo: Pedinamento e conoscenza delle abitudini della vittima
• Valore rubato: Tre rotoli di gioielli in oro, titanio e pietre preziose

A gang of three Colombians carried out a CHF 50,000 jewellery heist targeting a goldsmith entrepreneur on Lake Maggiore. The incident, which took place between Arona and Stresa in June 2025, involved the thieves stealing three rolls of gold, titanium, and precious stone jewellery from the boot of a car parked during a lunch break. The criminals had been stalking the victim for weeks and seized the opportunity when the professional momentarily let his guard down. The victim had hidden the valuables in a hidden compartment in the car’s boot, but the thieves were already familiar with the system and made off with the haul within minutes.

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Operational details

The arrest in Ticino of one of the three members of the Colombian gang raises questions about how cross-border workers and Italian entrepreneurs operating in the Canton of Ticino can protect their assets during border crossings. The case highlights how criminals do not act randomly, but instead study the habits and routes of their victims, even exploiting the time between administrative checks and verifications.

For Italian entrepreneurs transporting high-value goods between Piedmont and Ticino, the risk is far from theoretical. The case near Lake Maggiore shows how thieves can take advantage of short stops to act undetected, especially if victims fail to implement advanced security measures. The three rolls of stolen jewellery, worth 50,000 francs, represent a significant financial loss, but the greater damage lies in the theft of unique samples that are nearly impossible to replace.

Before vs after: what has changed for those transporting valuable goods?

Before the incident:

• Entrepreneurs relied on a security system based on hidden compartments inside vehicle trunks, which were considered sufficiently safe.
• Road checks were seen as routine, with no direct link to future criminal activity.
• Law enforcement only intervened after a report was filed, often when the damage had already been done.

After the incident:

• Thieves have demonstrated the ability to connect information from past checks to future criminal plans, making greater caution necessary.
• Authorities emphasize the importance of cross-border police collaboration, as seen in the arrest of the third gang member in France.
• Entrepreneurs are urged to revise their transport procedures, adopting GPS tracking systems or private escorts for high-value goods.

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Key points

If you're an entrepreneur or professional transporting high-value goods between Italy and Ticino, here's what you can do to protect yourself following the case involving the Colombian gang on Lake Maggiore.

Step 1: Assess your current security measures

• Check your trunk: Ensure the hidden compartment for valuables is inaccessible without deliberate effort. Consider installing an alarm system or an additional lock.
• Avoid stops in isolated areas: Opt for monitored parking lots or busy areas, especially when transporting high-value goods.
• Use GPS tracking: For exceptionally valuable items, a tracker can act as both a deterrent and a recovery tool in case of theft.

Step 2: Report any suspicious checks

If you’ve been stopped by foreign law enforcement in a particularly intrusive manner—such as targeted questions about your work or travel plans—reporting the incident to Ticinese authorities can help prevent future attacks. You can contact:

• Ticino Cantonal Police: via the official website or by visiting a police station.
• Italian Carabinieri: if the check occurred in Italy, file a report to create a useful precedent for investigations.

Step 3: Collaborate with law enforcement

If you’ve been a victim of theft or have information about similar incidents, contact immediately:

• Ticino Cantonal Police: Emergency number 117 (from Switzerland) or +41 91 814 51 11 (from abroad).
• Verbania Carabinieri: Emergency number 112.

Your report could be the key to dismantling other gangs operating in the area.

Step 4: Update your company procedures

If you transport high-value goods on behalf of your business, update your internal protocols:

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