The Athens Security Service has put an end to the activities of a large gang that “specialized” in snatching gold chains from the necks of their unsuspecting victims.

A total of 129 robberies were detected and 21 people were arrested, while the case file that was formed includes a total of 48 people, 11 of whom are incarcerated in prisons.

The gang members were, in fact, “celebrating” the robberies they were committing as shown in the photos from their mobile phones. The frames show some of those arrested posing for the camera holding gold chains or money. In other cases, they were showing off their weapons.

According to the ELAS, “strongholds” for poachers, including the brazen young man who pulled the chain from the neck of a bathing woman on the beach of Alimos last August while at the same time he was being recorded by a SKAI camera that was there to report, Were stations and trains of the metro, the ISAP and the tram of Athens

The investigation showed that the gang had been established since the beginning of 2024, with its members mainly choosing the stations “Syndma“, “Victoria” and “Monastiraki“, as well as the surrounding squares and streets where they approached their victims, from whom they removed the chain around their necks either by violent pulling or by the use of physical force.

As for the modus operandi, the poachers used the methods like embracing, artificial crowding, etc. and it was found that while committing poaching they observed strict counter-surveillance measures.

The statement of the ELAS

The Athens Security Subdivision dismantled a gang whose members carried out robberies in various areas of Attica, using as “bases” mainly stations and trains of the Athens Metro, HSTAP and TRAM.

-21- members of the gang were arrested, of which -14- are minors, while a total of -48- were identified, of which -11- are incarcerated in Detention Centres. A case file was formed against them for a -casual- gang that commits robberies, committed or attempted, professionally and habitually, with the pursuit of financial gain and in particular the forfeiture of income, violation of residence restrictions as well as violations of the laws on weapons and drugs.

An investigation was conducted in the context of which it was established that since the beginning of 2024, the members of the gang have been active in committing robberies and specifically in the removal of neck chains using physical violence.

In particular, it was revealed that the accused chose as a place of action the stations and trains of the Metro, HSTAP, and TRAM of Athens, mainly those of “Syntagma”, “Victoria” and “Monastiraki”, as well as squares and streets around them. They then approached their victims, from whom they removed the chain around their necks either by violent pulling or by using physical violence.

In fact, as it was found, during the commission of the robbery they observed strict counter-surveillance measures, while in several cases they used various “distraction” tricks, such as embracing, artificial crowding, etc.

So far, -129- cases of robberies and attempted robberies have been solved in areas of Athens, in Alimos, Piraeus, Kaisariani, Keratsini, Nea Smyrni, at the stations of HSTAP and metro “Victoria”, “Attiki”, “Ambelokipi”, “Agios Nikolaos”, “Sepolia”, “Kato Patissia”, “Petralona”, “Syntagma”, “Airport”, “Kerameikos”, “Agios Eleftherios”, “Nikaia”, “Heraklion”, “Faliro”, “Municipal Theatre”, “Piraeus”, as well as at Syntagma, Victoria, Vathis and Monastiraki squares.

In searches carried out in homes by the above Service with the assistance of police officers of the O.P.K.E. and the Kolonou Security Department, the following were found and seized:

• -18- mobile phones, -4- telephone devices, -4- tablets, SIM cards,
• –16, -cards, cards, card, -card, -card, -card, -card, -card, -card, -card, -card, -card, -card, -card.
• -3- knives, multi-tool, cutter,
• ID card, -5- passports,
• 655 euros,
• electronic scales, grater,
• electricity bills and
• another package containing possibly “Indian hemp” with a total gross weight of -0.4 grams.

It is noted that the majority of the accused have been previously engaged by the authorities for similar offenses.

As part of the investigation of the case and deconstruction of the gang, -13- persons were arrested for -cases -of various offenses, such as possession of drugs, knives, daggers, forged travel documents, etc.

The arrested persons were taken to the competent prosecuting authority, while in addition, cases will be filed for neglect of supervision of the minor accused, against both their parents and the competent appointed guardians.