After a methodical investigation, the Agrini Security Sub-Directorate, a criminal organization that committed robberies and thefts in areas of Aitoloakarnania and Epirus, was dismantled.

For this case, a total of ten citizens (nine men and one woman), including three 17-year-olds and a 16-year-old, members of the criminal organization, were arrested this morning, in Agrinio, Messolonghi and on the Parga Preveza National Road, as well as a still a defendant who is already incarcerated in a penitentiary.

For the arrest of the perpetrators, a large-scale police operation was organized by the Agrini Security Sub-Directorate, which was implemented with the assistance of police officers from the Akarnania Police Directorate, the OPKE of the Agrini Security Sub-Directorate, the OPKE and the Messolonghi Security Department, the DIAS team of the Preveza Police Department and of the Parga Police Station.

A criminal case was filed against those arrested, for the specific offenses of joining a criminal organization, committing robberies and aggravated thefts, and violating the legislation on the prevention and suppression of money laundering and terrorist financing.

At the same time, the full identity details of eleven more national men, members of the criminal organization, who are charged with the aforementioned crimes, were identified.

In the context of thorough investigations by the Agrinio Security Sub-Directorate, it was found that the above arrested persons, from February of the year 2023, formed a structured and continuously active criminal organization, with the aim of committing robberies and distinguished thefts.

The police officers of the Agrinio Security Sub-Directorate investigated in total:

  • 2 robberies
  • 6 thefts – break-ins in jewelry stores,
  • 22 thefts – burglaries in shops, houses and vehicles,

The criminal acts were committed in the areas of Agrinion, Messolonghi, Drymos, Vonitsa, Xiromeros, Lefkada, Arta, Dodoni Ioannina and Astakos, where the accused removed a total of:

  • (20,070) euros and (300) dollars in cash,
  • Jewellery, watches and valuables with a total value of (608,800) euros,
  • various objects (cigarettes, metal objects, etc.), total value (15,950) euros.

How did they act?

Regarding the methodology of the members of the criminal organization, it is pointed out that they acted with a different composition each time, approaching their targets in the evening and after midnight, wearing masks and hoods, while they used burglary tools, mainly crowbars, in order to enter the interior and commit the thefts.

In terms of the way the criminal organization operated, its members spotted their upcoming targets, pretending to be customers, while traveling to the areas in vehicles, which they changed each time, in order to make it difficult for the police authorities to detect them.

In addition, an arrest warrant was pending against the arrested woman for the commission of robbery by Investigator Agriniou.

In searches carried out at the homes of the members of the criminal organization, the following were found and confiscated:

  • (5) vehicles;
  • (2) watches and miscellaneous valuables;
  • (1,350) euros,
  • (11) mobile phones and SIM card numbers

Those arrested will be taken to the First Instance Prosecutor of Agrinio.

Investigations are being continued by the Agrinio Security Sub-Directorate in order to determine any involvement of the accused in other cases of criminal acts.