Como, fugitive from the Campione robbery arrested (cross-border guide)

Context

In a nutshell

• Dario De Bernardi, 55, was arrested on September 23
• Was wanted since 2011 and must serve over 19 years
• He is indicated as the executor of the robbery at the Champion Casino

Key facts

• Person → Dario De Bernardi, 55 years old, originally from the province of Lecco
• Stop in the → afternoon of 23 September
• Penalty of → more than 19 years imprisonment
• Robbery → 28 March 2018, with 750,000 Swiss francs stolen
• Destination → Casa Circondariale di Como

The arrest after the long escape

In the afternoon of September 23, the Carabinieri of the Provincial Command of Como put an end to the long escape of Dario De Bernardi, 55, originally from the province of Lecco. The man, wanted since 2011, was identified and arrested at the end of an extensive investigation coordinated by the Public Prosecutor's Office of Como.

A detention order issued in 2016 by the General Prosecutor's Office at the Court of Appeal of Milan hung over De Bernardi. The measure was aimed at serving a sentence of more than 19 years in prison for crimes including association aimed at drug trafficking, robbery and more.

The 55-year-old was also wanted since 2019 following an order of pre-trial detention in prison issued by the GIP of the Court of Como. The order was part of the investigations conducted by the Carabinieri of the Provincial Command of Como and directed by the Como Public Prosecutor's Office.

The picture

Operational details

The case of the robbery at the Casino

The escape and the 2018 proceedings

De Bernardi’s fugitive status had begun in 2011 and, according to the reconstruction, had led him to move to various locations. Possible stays abroad are also indicated, before a recent residence presumably identified in the Larian Province. The escape thus unfolded through multiple movements, while the man remained beyond the reach of justice.

The second aspect of the matter concerns the armed robbery on 28 March 2018 targeting Casinò Campione d’Italia. Investigations conducted by the Carabinieri of the Como Provincial Command and directed by the Como Prosecutor’s Office had identified De Bernardi as the person who physically carried out the assault. During the robbery, 750,000 Swiss francs were stolen.

The incident took place during the period when the 55-year-old was already a fugitive. For this reason, after the investigative activities, De Bernardi had been referred to the authorities as untraceable. His position differed from that of the other participants in the action, who were subsequently arrested by the Carabinieri.

A few months after the robbery, still in 2018, the officers had in fact arrested the wanted man’s three accomplices. The source specifies that all three were later convicted. De Bernardi, on the other hand, had not been arrested and had continued to evade justice.

In 2019, the search for him had also become linked to a pre-trial detention order in prison issued by the preliminary investigations judge of the Como Court. That measure arose from the investigation into the robbery at the Casino in Campione and was added to the order to enforce the sentence issued in 2016 for a term exceeding 19 years. The legal matter therefore includes the proceedings for the armed assault and the earlier order to enforce the sentence.

Key points

The Capture and Search

Among Firewood and Construction Debris

The capture operation began on the afternoon of September 23. The soldiers of the Investigative Unit located De Bernardi, followed him, and then stopped him on a public street, catching him by surprise and preventing him from resisting. After being detained, the man was taken to the Provincial Command.

The subsequent phase took place with the support of the Carabinieri of the Calabria Airborne Squadron. The soldiers carried out a thorough search of the premises of a residence in the province of Como recently used by De Bernardi. The operation focused on the areas where stacked firewood and construction debris were present.

Precisely in that area, perfectly concealed, two items were found. The first was a hunting rifle held illegally. The second consisted of a total sum of 98.000 euros in cash, divided up and hidden inside cellophane bags.

The sequence described by the Carabinieri therefore includes following the wanted man on a public street, stopping him, and then carrying out a search of the premises of the residence. The rifle and money were found during the same capture operation, with the involvement of the Investigative Unit and the Calabria Airborne Squadron.

At the end of the required formalities, Dario De Bernardi was taken to Como Prison. The capture thus brought an end to the flight that began in 2011 and led to the man being held at the facility indicated by the Carabinieri after the operation in the province of Como.

Source: comozero.it