I was dislocateduh, from Property Crimes Department of the Attica Security Directoratecriminal organization, whose members committed bank ATM burglaries with the use of solid explosives with improvised baking tray and vehicle thefts in Attica.

Two (2) citizens, members of the organization, were arrested in the context of an organized operation that took place at noon yesterday, Monday 20-03-2023, in various areas of Attica.

A case file was filed against them for criminal organization, distinguished thefts by complicity and follow-up, explosions by complicity and other offenses related to explosives, forgeries as well as damage to foreign property.

Since when and how did they act

In particular, as it emerged from the investigation, the arrested persons, at least since May 2022, had formed and joined a criminal organization, which acted with the sole purpose of committing ATM burglaries with explosives, theft of car ID cards and their use for criminal purposes their activity, in order to obtain significant financial benefits.

These are people who possessed special know-how in the use of solid explosives, which they adapted to improvised metal constructions so that they could be introduced inside the ATMs, through the money extraction slot. Then, they would detonate the device and remove the cash boxes.

For their escape and in order to make it difficult for the prosecuting authorities to locate them, they used stolen vehicles, which they had removed themselves, showing a particular preference for cars of specific manufacturers.

What was found in their possession

In their possession, as well as from the searches carried out in houses and premises, a full face hood, -30- hunting cartridges, -9- mobile phones and SIM cards, burglary tools, documents from stolen vehicles as well as and handwritten notes.

From the investigation so far, the participation of the members of the organization in at least -1- ATM burglary in Attica, as well as in the theft of -8- vehicles, -7- of which were found and returned to their owners, has been ascertained.

The economic benefit obtained by the criminal organization from its illegal activity, exceeds the monetary amount of -180,000- euros.

The arrested are known to the authorities

It should be noted that the arrested have been accused in the past of a number of similar offenses (robbery, theft, violations of arms-drug laws, etc.).

Those arrested were taken to the Athens District Attorney, while investigations into other cases continue.