Serious concerns are being raised over a criminal gang case that was dismantled in Chania and had targeted dozens of motorcycles, as the overwhelming majority of those involved are minors. Police proceeded with the arrest of ten individuals, aged 16 to 19 years old, seven of whom are minors. Additionally, the case file includes nine guardians who were arrested for neglecting supervision of the minors.
According to the investigation by the Chania Crime Investigation and Detection Sub-Directorate, the group operated in an organized manner with consistent activity, mainly during nighttime hours, from mid-November to early January. The members would locate motorcycles in various areas of the city, monitor the spaces where they were parked, and bypass security measures to steal them.
So far, 27 cases of motorcycle thefts have been solved. Of these, 25 motorcycles were located and returned to their owners.
How the criminal gang’s activities in Chania were uncovered
The group’s activities were exposed on the evening of January 10th, when officers from the Chania Special Operations Unit spotted four members in the act of stealing a motorcycle. The arrests of the remaining members followed through coordinated operations. During searches, 11 mobile phones, a small quantity of cannabis, and one full-face mask were confiscated.
Beyond the criminal aspect of the case, there is intense concern about the fact that these are primarily children who appear to have been involved in organized criminal activity at such a young age. The investigation continues, with authorities examining both the circumstances of the group’s operations and the family and social environment of the minors.
The preliminary investigation is ongoing by the Chania Crime Investigation and Detection Sub-Directorate.
