In spiral dislocation who was stealing state-of-the-art cars with an increased commercial demand, in various areas of Attica, the sub-directorate of Prosecution of Crimes against Life and Property of the Attica Security Directorate proceeded.

In order to deconstruct the criminal organization, an extensive police operation was carried out in the early hours of yesterday, Tuesday, July 11, 2023, in Acharnes, Ano Liosia, Zefyri and Pallini during which 7 members of the organization were arrested, including the leader.

A case file was filed against them for – as the case may be – the formation and membership of a criminal organization, distinguished thefts by complicity and serially by persons who commit distinguished cases of vehicle theft by profession and by habit and for violation of weapons legislation.

As it emerged from the investigation, the above had recommended and joined in criminal organization, having distinct roles, with the aim of systematically committing thefts of state-of-the-art vehicles with increased commercial demand, obtaining significant illegal financial gain.

Regarding the method of action, the members of the criminal organization used a specific methodology, namely:

After they were taking “orders” for cars specific make, model and color, they traveled to areas mainly in the southern and northern suburbs of Attica, where they located vehicles with the above characteristics, while then informing their accomplices of the exact location.

Subsequently, they broke some of the windows of the vehicle and after moving it for a short distance, they loaded it into a special crane-carrying vehicle and transported it to an area of ​​Western Attica. There they faked its characteristic numbers (chassis number, engine, etc.) and thus “legalize” it to put it back into circulation, or dismantle it to repair with it other vehicles, which they had bought with serious material damage.

At the same time, the role of each person during the commission of the thefts was determined, as follows:

  • The 37-year-old was the leader and sole regulator of the operation of the organization. He possessed the most knowledge in the automotive field having connections with professionals in the field. Also, he was the one who settled the financial outstandings of the organization and handed over to its members the money due to them from their participation,
  • 37-year-old, 22-year-old, 35-year-old and 30-year-old constituted the operational arms of the organization, having an active role and extensive experience in car thefts, as well as a rich criminal past,
  • the 37-year-old and the 22-year-old provided the necessary means to commit the thefts, as they had the vehicles of their relatives for their passage and escape,
  • The 44-year-old supplemented the operational arm, as he owned the special crane vehicle for the transport of the removed vehicles, while for his “services” he was handsomely paid, receiving the amount of -400- euros for each transport.

In house searches, the following were found and confiscated:

  • electronic vehicle tampering equipment,
  • car theft tech,
  • car brain crowd,
  • car brain diagnostic,
  • stolen car engine,
  • taser,
  • mobile phone devices and SIM cards,
  • 2 laptops,
  • various car parts,
  • lot of car keys,
  • stolen car service book,
  • digital data storage media (USB),
  • clothing used in the commission of the thefts,
  • the sum of 2,400 euros,
  • 10- vehicles.

From the research so far, they have found out –22- cases of theft and -1 attempted theft of vehicles as well as -2- thefts of catalytic converters in Paleo and Neo Faliro, Maroussi, Keratsini, Patisia, Lykovrysi, Metamorfosi, Aegaleo, Nea Chalkidona, Nea Ionia, Pefki, Nea Erythrea, Cholargo, Agioi Anargyrou, Piraeus and Nea Smyrni committed since the beginning of the year 2022.

It is estimated that the illegal financial benefit that the members of the criminal organization have obtained from their actions so far exceeds 240,000 euros.

The arrested persons, with the case filed against them, were taken to the competent prosecution authority, while the investigation to verify the full extent of their criminal activity continues.