Como Police Raid Targets Teens in Looting Plot; 25 Searches, Replica Guns Seized

Police in Como conducted 25 searches, mostly targeting minors, over WhatsApp groups allegedly planning riots and looting in the city center on Saturday. A 22-year-old man was found with weapons and replica firearms. The operation, led by Digos with prosecutors and Carabinieri, involved 21 minors among those searched, all investigated for incitement to crime. The 22-year-old from Guanzate had a balaclava, knuckles, knives, batons, daggers, a glass breaker, and replica guns without red caps. Police also identified a 13-year-old from chats discussing explosives. Authorities have reinforced prosecutor duty shifts amid fears of unrest, with some shops like Foot Locker and Sephora boarding up windows. The Siulp police union demands stricter age verification on social media, noting children as young as nine have profiles that should not exist.