A criminal group that has been committing house thefts in Thessaloniki since 2021 has been arrested. The “key” to the criminals seemed to be to videotape their potential victims as they entered their homes, because this way they were able to record the type of key they used to enter, making their “job” easier!
As it turned out during the police investigation, those arrested have, since at least December 2021, created a criminal group to break into houses in Thessaloniki in order to obtain illegal benefits from property.
A total of five men were arrested in the case – three of Georgian and one of Armenian origin, aged 44, 45, 27, 37 years old, and one Greek aged 28 years. A criminal case was opened against them on the facts of organizing a criminal community, aggravated theft, robbery with the intent to commit robbery, money laundering, monitoring the radio frequency spectrum – non-public broadcasts and regulating issues related to weapons, ammunition, explosives, explosive devices and others provisions.
Method of action
The group’s modus operandi was to select “targets”, usually near farmers’ markets, where they took advantage of the absence of residents to enter apartments, always early in the morning – probably when residents were out shopping – without leaving any trace of forced entry.
To do this, it turns out, they found a way to video record their potential victims using cell phones as they entered their homes, basically recording the type of key and the location of the residence. In addition, they took counter-surveillance measures: they watched objects, changed clothes before and after the robbery so as not to be noticed or arouse suspicion, and immediately after the theft they fled the crime scene in a private car.
Preparations for the “raids” on houses took place in a rented room, which they used as a workshop for copying keys, and there they practiced a practical technique for unlocking doors without leaving any traces of forced entry. Finally, they used their hideout as a place to hide stolen items.
Stole more than €170,000 in cash within 2 years
Using this technique, between mid-December 2021 and mid-December 2023, the criminals carried out four burglaries and one house robbery in various areas of eastern and western Thessaloniki, making away with a total of 171,850 euros, jewelry and two-handed weapons.
Items of value were seized, as well as a safe.
As part of a coordinated police operation that was carried out on Monday morning (11/12) in the houses of the criminals in the areas of Toumba, Sikeon and in the center of Thessaloniki, as well as in the workshop they maintained in the Polishni area, the criminals were identified and arrested, and Their belongings were also found and confiscated:
- Cash amount of 14,455 euros and 100 US dollars,
- many watches, jewelry, mobile phones and electronic devices,
- safe,
- two portable transceivers tuned to frequencies EL.AS. and additional portable transceivers for intercom,
- Lots of hacking tools.
- one revolver and 17 rounds of ammunition,
- TOKAREV pistol and four cartridges,
- three air pistols,
- several knives,
- one professional key copying machine,
- professional drill with fixed base for detailed drilling,
- one professional device for breaking armored doors,
- two electric sanders with numerous accessories,
- many keys to the doors of houses of various types and brands,
- one professional device for opening armored doors
- many tools,
- a variety of blanks for door keys from houses of various types and brands, intended for duplicating keys,
- several keys to the doors of houses of various types and brands with obvious external damage from opening
- homemade tools for picking various locks and types, armored door lock mechanisms, umbilical door locks,
- four mobile phones,
- seven wigs
- a shotgun that was identified as the weapon seized in one of the cases.
To carry out their “work” they had five cars; they bought one car with the stolen money.
In addition, a total of five cars were seized, which were used by members of the group to travel to places where illegal acts were committed, escape from them, and transport stolen items.
It is noted that most of the criminals were previously prosecuted by the authorities for committing relevant crimes, and in relation to the 28-year-old Greek, the police investigation showed that with the money received from his illegal activities, he purchased a personal car worth about 12,000 euros.
Those arrested will be brought before the competent prosecutor while investigations continue into their involvement in similar criminal activities.
Citizens affected by thefts of this criminal gang organization can contact the Property Crime Unit at 2310 388 328 between the hours of 10:00 and 13:00 to identify stolen items.
More Stories
The driver of Dora Bakoyanni was found guilty of the death of 22-year-old Yason in an accident near parliament
A 38-year-old man committed suicide by throwing himself under a ΗΣΑΠ train in Nea Ionia
Warning, scam! Residents of Attica are receiving phone calls