The cases of vandalism and break-ins in Paphos are taking a new turn, as police investigations appear to be heading in a different direction than initially anticipated. Authorities are now scrutinizing the possibility that an organized crime ring is behind the incidents, one that may have also operated in other districts.
READ ALSO: Paphos: Unknown individuals smashed glass display cases and robbed stores in Tala | AlphaNews
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According to the station’s correspondent, Kostas Nanos, the initial assessment was that the rioters may have been reacting to the measures taken by the police on Friday night in Mouttalo, as well as to the operations carried out in the area.
However, this assessment does not appear to have been confirmed so far. On the contrary, there is growing evidence that an organized crime ring is behind the incidents, one that is alleged to have previously been active in Nicosia and Larnaca.
The way the perpetrators operated in Paphos bears similarities to previous incidents in other cities. In the early hours of Saturday morning, they “struck” a total of ten businesses, causing damage to three pharmacies, three gas stations, two kiosks, and two mini-markets, while they reportedly made off with a total of approximately €4,000 from some of the premises.
READ ALSO: VIDEO: Frame-by-frame footage of the robbers’ actions at a Paphos pharmacy | AlphaNews
The motorcycle ridden by the four hooded men was located on Friday night in Mouttalo and, according to information available so far, had been stolen earlier that same night.
The suspects’ activities began in Tala and continued in Emba and Chloraka, in Kato Paphos, and in Pegeia.
The police investigation is ongoing, and authorities have gathered evidence that may lead to the identification of the perpetrators. Meanwhile, evidence has been collected from the motorcycle allegedly used in the crime and has been sent for forensic analysis.
