A gang that committed thefts from the homes of the elderly in areas of Attica, with its members pretending to be DEDDIE employees or elevator maintenance workers, was dismantled by ELAS.

During an operation carried out yesterday morning in its areas Western Atticawith the participation of police officers from the Amarousi Security Department, the Northeast Attica Security Sub-Directorate, the Attica Emergency Action Directorate, OPKE and the Order Restoration Sub-Directorate, 11 members of the criminal organization were identified and arrested.

At their expense, as well as for yet seven people, who are wanteda case file was filed for, as the case may be, criminal organization, aggravated theft by complicity and attempted and violation of the Weapons Act.

According to ELAS, the defendants, who were related to each other, had founded and joined a criminal organization about two and a half years ago. At the same time, they were equipped with several vehicles, which they used in rotation, while in case of identification by the authorities, they withdrew and sold them.

How the circuit worked

The alleged perpetrators, based in Ano Liosia, traveled in their business vehicles to areas of Attica, with intense commercial activity. They would locate their potential victims, mainly targeting elderly people, whom they would then follow on their way home.

Then they approached the elderly and with an impeccable appearance, and in several cases by showing certificates of documents, pretending to be DEDDIE employees or elevator maintenance workers, they persuaded them to enter their house. With the method of employment, they removed sums of money, jewelry and valuables, using gloves or surgical masks to avoid their recognition, while immediately afterwards they escaped in their business vehicles, in which their accomplices were waiting for them.

In police searches carried out in houses, as well as in a bank safe, they found and seized: Three vehicles, a lot of valuable jewelry (neck chains, hand chains, crosses, rings, watches, pins, necklaces, bracelets), 46 gold pounds of various denominations , silver-framed image of Christ, 59,380 euros, 31 dollars, 7 unfired stun cartridges, semi-automatic stun gun with magazine, hunting rifle, recorder, 3 cell phones and checkbook.

From the investigation so far, 20 cases of theft and 4 attempted thefts from houses in Koukaki, Galatsi, Kifissia, Zografou, Chalandri, Marousi, Agia Paraskevi, Paleo Faliro, Psychiko, Nea Smyrni, Nea Chalkidona and Holargo have been discovered, while the total illegal financial benefit obtained by the spiral exceeds the amount of 600,000 euros, according to ELAS.

Those arrested are going to be taken to the competent prosecutor’s office, while police investigations continue.