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Italian police arrest 6 after sewers used to tunnel into luxury shops

Click to play video: 'Thieves use underground tunnels to break into luxury shops in Naples'
Thieves use underground tunnels to break into luxury shops in Naples
WATCH ABOVE: A group of thieves accessed underground tunnels and sewers to break into the safes of high end jewelry and boutique shops in Naples, Italy – Jul 20, 2016

Italian authorities have arrested six men in connection with a thwarted robbery in Naples last year, in which underground tunnels were used in an attempt to break into the safes of high-end stores.

READ MORE: http://globalnews.ca/news/2585549/12-people-arrested-in-italian-job-style-heist-that-netted-17-m-in-stolen-art/

Three of the accused were arrested in November when police caught suspects burrowing into the luxury stores from sewers below. Another three people were arrested on Monday.

The six men have been charged with aggravated robbery and now await trial.

Police say thieves were targeting clothier Bruno & Pisano and jeweller Bulgari, which was reportedly robbed twice within a month late last year. Authorities say each member was expected to net more than $430,000 in jewelry.

Italian police arrest 6 after sewers used to tunnel into luxury shops - image

The would-be robbers slipped into the sewers through maintenance hole covers and cut openings beneath the shops.

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Police said officers foiled six robberies in total.

READ MORE: It’s not stealing if you’re starving, Italian court says

Video of the November raid was released by police on Monday and shows underwater operations officers tunneling through the sewers to the entry points into the stores.

The video also shows three men caught during the raid being hauled out of the sewers in handcuffs.

Italian police arrest 6 after sewers used to tunnel into luxury shops - image
Italian police arrest 6 after sewers used to tunnel into luxury shops - image
Italian police arrest 6 after sewers used to tunnel into luxury shops - image

Police added that five of the men charged have previously served jail time for similar crimes.

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There have been other cases of Italian criminals attempting to dig tunnels beneath jewelry stores.

In 2012, a plan to rob a group of stores in Sicily was foiled after two of the suspects were spotted climbing out of a maintenance hole. Four were arrested in total.

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