Police have arrested a criminal gang that targeted homes and businesses across various areas of Attica, with their total loot exceeding €500,000. Officers from the Piraeus Crime Investigation and Detection Division arrested three young men, aged 22, 20, and 19, in coordinated operations on the evening of March 20th in Kolonos and Agios Panteleimonas. A fourth individual is also included in the case file.
According to investigation findings, the perpetrators had been operating their criminal enterprise since at least August 2025, primarily targeting residential properties. Using burglary tools, they would break down doors, enter properties, and steal whatever they found – mainly jewelry and cash. They also didn’t hesitate to target businesses, taking advantage of employee inattention to grab money and disappear within seconds. Their criminal activity wasn’t limited to theft alone. In November 2025, they attacked an elderly woman in Keratsini and violently snatched a gold chain from her neck.
From their latest crime, parapolitika.gr obtained video footage that captures the brazen actions of the young perpetrator. He approaches an elderly woman who had finished shopping at the local market in Keratsini and with lightning-fast movements grabs a gold chain from her neck before fleeing on foot.
During searches of their homes, police discovered clothing used in their crimes, burglary tools, and three mobile phones.
So far, six thefts and one robbery have been solved, while authorities estimate their criminal activity was even more extensive.
Athens crime ring: The €500,000 “golden heist” in Piraeus
The gang’s criminal activity began at least from August 2025, specifically on the 2nd of that month. According to police sources, the young men “barged into” a restaurant in Anoixi and when employees weren’t paying attention, they grabbed approximately €500 and vanished.
The second recorded “hit” occurred on August 8th according to the same sources in Nea Ionia. The perpetrators burglarized a pastry shop and stole approximately €200 and electronic devices.
On August 20th, they returned to Anoixi and stole €5,500 from a restaurant, while on September 8th they hit the “jackpot” by burglarizing a house in the Piraeus area and stealing jewelry valued at €500,000!
In December 2025, they stole €500 and electronic devices from an Airbnb in the Acropolis area, while their most recent hit was recorded on March 12th in Chalandri, when they stole €600 from a restaurant. Authorities estimate they may have been involved in other cases as well.
The arrested individuals were brought before the prosecutor, while the investigation continues.
Full police statement
“A criminal organization whose members committed aggravated thefts in the Attica region has been dismantled by the Piraeus Crime Investigation and Detection Division.
Following a coordinated police operation on the evening of March 20, 2026, in the areas of Kolonos and Agios Panteleimonas, three members of the organization aged 22, 20, and 19 were arrested. Charges were filed against them for operating a criminal organization that committed continuous and professional aggravated thefts as well as robbery. Another individual is included in the case file.
During the preliminary investigation by the Piraeus Crime Investigation and Detection Division, and following combined evaluation of intelligence data and evidence, it emerged that since August 2025, the accused had formed and joined a criminal organization with the purpose of committing aggravated thefts and consequently obtaining illegal financial gain.
Regarding their modus operandi, the accused used burglary tools to break down doors of residences, gaining access to interiors and removing jewelry and cash. In some cases, they entered food service establishments and, taking advantage of staff inattention, stole money and fled.
Characteristic of their audacity is the fact that in November 2025 they committed a robbery against an elderly woman in the Keratsini area, where using physical violence, they snatched a gold chain from her neck.
Following searches conducted at the accused’s residences, the following items were found and confiscated:
• Clothing used in committing the criminal acts,
• Burglary tools, and
• Three mobile phones.
The preliminary investigation by the Piraeus Crime Investigation and Detection Division has solved a total of six theft cases and one robbery in the Attica region, with the criminal organization’s total loot exceeding €500,000.
The arrested individuals were brought before the competent prosecutorial authority.”
