Police have smashed an organised crime ring which involved Italians cooperating with Albanians who were responsible for a string of violent burglaries in northern Italy.
More than 20 suspects including several Italians were arrested in the northern region of Lombardy in the early hours of Wednesday morning and more than 35 homes were searched.
Investigators said the gang had "terrorised" the region, carrying out at least 60 raids on villas and apartments between October 2004 and February of this year.
Several of the burglaries were particularly violent, police said, citing a January raid on the home of Brescian businessman Fausto Bonetti.
The thieves shot Bonetti in the stomach and his 23-year-old son in the leg.
Police subsequently arrested Albanian Klodian Ndoj. But two months after his arrest, Ndoj managed to escape from prison in Milan. The apparent ease with which the Albanian made his escape left the Bonetti family outraged.
The Albanian suspects are accused of forming a criminal organisation, drug trafficking, burglary, the possession of illegal weapons and attempted murder. The Italian suspects involved in the case are accused of aiding the gang and selling on stolen jewels and other goods.
