An 80-year-old drives a luxury Mercedes sedan down Rome's Spanish Steps and gets stuck
An 80-year-old man drove a compact luxury Mercedes-Benz A Class sedan down the landmark Spanish Steps in Rome early on Tuesday before getting stuck part way down, municipal police said in a statement.
The man tested negative for alcohol, and was cited on the spot for driving down the monument in Rome's historic center, police said. Police did not identify the driver or say if the car was his. They also did not say whether or not he was using a navigator.
The small sporty car was later removed by firefighters using a crane. Police did not respond to requests for more details about the dynamics of the apparent accident.
One of Rome's most recognizable monuments, the Spanish Steps have never been intended for motor vehicles, although some thrill seekers have tried their luck. A Saudi man was charged with aggravated damage to cultural heritage after a surveillance camera recorded him driving a rented Maserati down the 135 travertine steps in 2022.
The Spanish Steps take their name from the Spanish Embassy to the Holy See in the nearby square. A famed background for numerous films, they were built in the 1720s and have long been a popular spot to people watch and hang out.
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Edinburgh Live
an hour ago
- Edinburgh Live
Police insist 'no evidence' Spain shooting that killed two gangsters was set up in Scotland
Our community members are treated to special offers, promotions and adverts from us and our partners. You can check out at any time. More info Scottish Police have insisted that there is "no evidence" to suggest that the shooting that killed Ross Monaghan and Eddie Lyons in Spain's Costa Del Sol was set up in Scotland. It comes after Pedro Agudo Novo, the Malaga-based Spanish police chief, described the suspected killer as a member of the Daniel gang- which has long been at odds with the Lyons gang the dead men belonged to, reports The Daily Record. Merseyside Police confirmed on Friday, June 13, that Michael Terrence Riley, 44, has been arrested in the UK on suspicion of the Costa del Sol gangland execution of the key Lyons lieutenants. Police Scotland had insisted days after the May 31 double murder that they had no information to suggest the horror crimes were in any way linked to the ongoing gangland feud that has been going on in Edinburgh and the west of the country. However, Agudo Novo then made the revelation linking the suspect to the Daniel clan on Tuesday, June 17, as he spoke at the first press conference Spanish police have held since Monaghan and Lyons Jr were shot dead at Monaghans Irish Bar in Fuengirola after the Champions League final. Mr Agudo Novo, who heads up a provincial Judicial Police unit, said that the hit had been set up by 'a professional killer and member of one of the victims' rival gangs.' He ruled out the idea that the shooter was an independent hired killer but an internal member of the rival Daniel gang. The shooting came amid a violent gang war that has ripped through Edinburgh and the west since March said to have started over a fallout over a stolen stash of cocaine. However, following the statement from Agudo Novo, Police Scotland has reiterated their claim that there is no evidence to suggest the deaths were linked to the recent attacks in Scotland. Join Edinburgh Live's Whatsapp Community here and get the latest news sentstraight to your messages. Assistant Chief Constable Stuart Houston said: "We have been assisting Spanish colleagues with their investigation into the fatal shootings in Fuengirola. We are not aware of any current evidence which suggests the deaths of these two men in Spain are linked to the recent criminal attacks in Scotland being investigated as part of Operation Portaledge. "We are aware of the statement from the Spanish Police and although we cannot comment on an ongoing investigation in another jurisdiction, our position remains that we have no current evidence to suggest that this incident was orchestrated from Scotland. "We are aware of the arrest of an individual in the Merseyside area and will continue to support colleagues in Spain where necessary and if required by them." Career criminal Monaghan, who fled Scotland for Spain after a failed attempt on his life outside a Glasgow primary school in 2017, was tried but acquitted over the murder of notorious Glasgow hood Kevin 'Gerbil' Carroll at an Asda car park in 2010. In August 2017 he and Eddie Lyons Jr, both members of the Lyons Glasgow crime family, were cleared of being involved in a brutal street attack on three men outside the Campsie bar in Bishopbriggs, East Dunbartonshire. In a statement released on June 3, Police Scotland made it clear it was not directly investigating the murders. "The investigation into the fatal shootings in Fuengirola is being carried out by Spanish police," it said. "Police Scotland is supporting Spanish police where requested, however at this time we have no officers deployed within Spain."
North Wales Chronicle
2 hours ago
- North Wales Chronicle
Spanish police say Malaga shooting suspect ‘fled three countries in 15 hours'
The two men, understood to be Eddie Lyons Junior and Ross Monaghan, died after a gunman opened fire outside Monaghans Bar in Fuengirola, Malaga, on May 31. The incident prompted a denial from Police Scotland that the incident was linked to a suspected ongoing gang feud which began in March. A man aged 44 was arrested in Liverpool on June 13, according to the National Crime Agency, which supported the arrest alongside Merseyside Police. He then appeared in Westminster Magistrates' Court, ahead of extradition proceedings. On Tuesday, the Spanish National Police, which is leading the investigation, alleged the man took a route through 'three countries in less than 15 hours' and used disguises to avoid being detected. It said that it took 'just seven days' to identify him. Police Scotland had previously denied any link between the shootings in Spain and ongoing conflict in the Edinburgh and Glasgow regions. The force said in a statement: 'There is also nothing to suggest that the shooting in Fuengirola was planned from within Scotland.' On Tuesday, the Spanish police force said 'two house searches were also carried out in Liverpool and that the man went into hiding in the UK'. A Spanish police spokesperson said: 'In just seven days, the alleged perpetrator was identified. He fled three countries in less than 15 hours, altering his physical appearance to avoid recognition. 'Once in hiding in the United Kingdom, he changed his address to hinder any investigation until Friday afternoon, when he was arrested by the National Crime Agency (NCA) following the issuance of an International Arrest Warrant by Fuengirola Magistrates' Court Number Two.' A spokesperson for the National Crime Agency said: 'On June 13, officers from Merseyside Police arrested a 44-year-old man in the Liverpool area on behalf of the Spanish authorities for two counts of murder. The operation was supported by officers from the NCA's National Extradition Unit. 'The individual appeared at Westminster Magistrates' Court on June 14 for the commencement of extradition proceedings. 'He was remanded in custody.' Police Scotland Assistant Chief Constable Stuart Houston said: 'We have been assisting Spanish colleagues with their investigation into the fatal shootings in Fuengirola. 'We are not aware of any current evidence which suggests the deaths of these two men in Spain are linked to the recent criminal attacks in Scotland being investigated as part of Operation Portaledge. 'We are aware of the statement from the Spanish police and, although we cannot comment on an ongoing investigation in another jurisdiction, our position remains that we have no current evidence to suggest that this incident was orchestrated from Scotland. 'We are aware of the arrest of an individual in the Merseyside area and will continue to support colleagues in Spain where necessary and if required by them.'
Leader Live
2 hours ago
- Leader Live
Spanish police say Malaga shooting suspect ‘fled three countries in 15 hours'
The two men, understood to be Eddie Lyons Junior and Ross Monaghan, died after a gunman opened fire outside Monaghans Bar in Fuengirola, Malaga, on May 31. The incident prompted a denial from Police Scotland that the incident was linked to a suspected ongoing gang feud which began in March. A man aged 44 was arrested in Liverpool on June 13, according to the National Crime Agency, which supported the arrest alongside Merseyside Police. He then appeared in Westminster Magistrates' Court, ahead of extradition proceedings. On Tuesday, the Spanish National Police, which is leading the investigation, alleged the man took a route through 'three countries in less than 15 hours' and used disguises to avoid being detected. It said that it took 'just seven days' to identify him. Police Scotland had previously denied any link between the shootings in Spain and ongoing conflict in the Edinburgh and Glasgow regions. The force said in a statement: 'There is also nothing to suggest that the shooting in Fuengirola was planned from within Scotland.' On Tuesday, the Spanish police force said 'two house searches were also carried out in Liverpool and that the man went into hiding in the UK'. A Spanish police spokesperson said: 'In just seven days, the alleged perpetrator was identified. He fled three countries in less than 15 hours, altering his physical appearance to avoid recognition. 'Once in hiding in the United Kingdom, he changed his address to hinder any investigation until Friday afternoon, when he was arrested by the National Crime Agency (NCA) following the issuance of an International Arrest Warrant by Fuengirola Magistrates' Court Number Two.' A spokesperson for the National Crime Agency said: 'On June 13, officers from Merseyside Police arrested a 44-year-old man in the Liverpool area on behalf of the Spanish authorities for two counts of murder. The operation was supported by officers from the NCA's National Extradition Unit. 'The individual appeared at Westminster Magistrates' Court on June 14 for the commencement of extradition proceedings. 'He was remanded in custody.' Police Scotland Assistant Chief Constable Stuart Houston said: 'We have been assisting Spanish colleagues with their investigation into the fatal shootings in Fuengirola. 'We are not aware of any current evidence which suggests the deaths of these two men in Spain are linked to the recent criminal attacks in Scotland being investigated as part of Operation Portaledge. 'We are aware of the statement from the Spanish police and, although we cannot comment on an ongoing investigation in another jurisdiction, our position remains that we have no current evidence to suggest that this incident was orchestrated from Scotland. 'We are aware of the arrest of an individual in the Merseyside area and will continue to support colleagues in Spain where necessary and if required by them.'
