A domestic violence complaint appears to have been the starting point that unraveled a highly unusual case in Nea Erythraia, where police discovered what amounted to a small arsenal in the possession of a 44-year-old cobbler — along with surgical tools and more than €96,000 in cash that he allegedly could not account for.
The 44-year-old, who runs a shoe repair shop in Nea Erythraia and reportedly markets himself as a… “doctor” of the trade, was arrested on June 20 by rapid response police officers. He now faces criminal charges covering violations of domestic violence legislation, weapons laws, controlled substances regulations, and pyrotechnics statutes.
The ex-wife’s complaint and tip-offs about weapons
According to information, a few days earlier — specifically on June 19 — a complaint had been filed alleging that the suspect had threatened his ex-wife with a knife.
At the same time, authorities had received separate tip-offs suggesting the 44-year-old may be in possession of firearms and other dangerous objects.
Acting on this information, officers from the 2nd Police Precinct of Peristeri conducted searches of both his home and his business premises, looking for evidence that would corroborate the intelligence they had received.
From karambit knives and shurikens to a makeshift “operating room” in the shoe shop
The officers who entered the suspect’s shop and home were met with a scene that bore little resemblance to a simple shoe repair workshop.
Among the items found were knives, daggers, folding blades, a karambit-style knife, two knuckle daggers, shurikens, a collapsible metal baton, a homemade keychain-style weapon, ammunition, a blank-firing pistol, firecrackers, and a precision digital scale.
What drew particular attention, however, was the discovery of four surgical scalpels.
The mystery of the €96,000
Among the seized items was an unusually large sum of €96,305 in cash.
According to information, the 44-year-old reportedly failed to provide adequate explanations for the origin of the money during questioning — a fact that has prompted investigators to pursue the matter further.
Authorities are now examining whether this amount is exclusively linked to his business activities or whether it points to involvement in other cases that have yet to come to light.
Notably, according to information available so far, the 44-year-old has no prior criminal record.
Full list of seized items
The following items were confiscated during searches of his home and business:
- Knives of various types
- Daggers
- Folding blades
- Karambit-style knife
- Two knuckle daggers
- Shurikens
- Collapsible metal baton
- Homemade keychain-style weapon
- 32 rounds of ammunition
- Blank-firing pistol with magazine
- Three firecrackers
- Precision digital scale
- Four surgical scalpels
- Small quantity of cannabis
- €96,305 in cash
The 44-year-old was brought before the competent public prosecutor, while the investigation continues as authorities work to determine whether there are further dimensions to a case that began with a domestic violence complaint and ended with the discovery of an unexpected arsenal.
