A large gang specializing in snatching gold chains from unsuspecting victims in Athens has been broken up by the Athens Security Police.21 individuals were arrested, 14 of whom are minors. The case file includes a total of 48 individuals, 11 of whom are already incarcerated.
Charges include forming a criminal organization for the purpose of committing robbery, habitually and by profession, for financial gain; violating residency restrictions; and violating weapons and narcotics laws.The investigation revealed that the gang had been operating since the beginning of 2024, primarily targeting the Syntagma, Victoria, and Monastiraki metro stations, as well as surrounding squares and streets.
They would approach their victims and violently snatch or rip the chains from their necks.The robbers employed various tactics, including hugging, creating artificial crowding, and strict counter-surveillance measures. They frequently celebrated their robberies by posing with the stolen chains and cash, and sometimes even their weapons, in photos found on their mobile phones.
To date, 129 robberies and attempted robberies have been solved, spanning various areas of Athens, including Alimos, Piraeus, Kaisariani, Keratsini, Nea Smyrni, and several metro and electric railway stations. The gang also operated in Syntagma, Victoria, Vathis, and Monastiraki Squares.
One of the gang members is also believed to be the individual who stole a cross from a swimmer on Alimos beach in August, an incident captured on camera.Searches of the suspects' homes yielded various items (the list of seized items was not included in the provided text). The police announcement did not detail the items seized.
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