The Organized Crime Division moved to dismantle a criminal organization that had been committing burglaries and thefts in homes across various areas of Attica. As part of a police operation carried out on the morning of Thursday, September 17, 2026, three foreign nationals were arrested in areas of Attica, while five additional members of the organization were identified, two of whom are incarcerated in correctional facilities and three are abroad.

The police investigation to date has uncovered 23 cases of burglaries, thefts, and attempted thefts in Agia Paraskevi, Palaio Faliro, Halandri, Nea Ionia, Galatsi, Athens, Kallithea, Zografou, Petralona, and Pagrati. The illegal financial gain that, according to the Hellenic Police, the members of the organization obtained is estimated to exceed 179,000 euros, while the financial investigation revealed that they had transferred approximately 76,000 euros to foreign accounts via money transfer companies.

As for their modus operandi, according to the police investigation, the members of the organization primarily conducted nighttime surveillance of apartment buildings and selected target homes, first checking to see if the residents were away. In some cases, they reportedly used markings on doors to determine whether the homes were unoccupied, placing particular emphasis on holidays and vacation periods. They would then proceed to break in, using keys or picking locks, while in other cases they entered through skylights or balcony doors. In fact, as noted by the Hellenic Police, they had an intelligence network for selecting targets, and in one case, a member of the organization allegedly worked as a housekeeper and provided information on when residents were away.

The relevant announcement in detail:

“The Organized Crime Division dismantled a criminal organization, whose members were involved in committing residential burglaries in areas of Athens, Kallithea, Neo Faliro, and Spata.

As part of an operation carried out in the early morning hours of Thursday, September 17, 2026, by officers from the Property Crimes Division of the Sub-Directorate for the Prosecution of Crimes Against Life and Property, -3- foreign nationals, members of the organization, were arrested, while another -5- members were identified, of whom -2- are incarcerated in correctional facilities and -3- are abroad.

Charges were filed against them—as applicable—for membership in a criminal organization engaged in grand theft, already committed, in concert and on a continuing basis, with a total profit exceeding 120,000 euros, as well as for violations of the law on controlled substances and for money laundering.

As it emerged following a thorough and months-long investigation, after evaluating and analyzing intelligence and data, the defendants, at least since July 2025, formed an operationally structured, highly active, and continuously operating criminal organization, in order to engage in the professional commission of high-profile residential burglaries in areas of Attica with the aim of obtaining illegal financial gain.

Specifically, the organization exhibited the characteristics of a well-structured criminal organization, with a clear division of roles and responsibilities, an organized infrastructure, continuity, and a long history of activity. It systematically sought to commit felonies for the purpose of obtaining illicit financial gain, while also engaging in the laundering of proceeds from criminal activities, all while maintaining contacts and carrying out operations abroad.

As for their modus operandi, the members of the criminal organization:

Initially, during the evening hours, they would conduct surveillance of apartment buildings in various areas of Attica, using vehicles registered to third parties or rented vehicles. They used the home of the ringleader as their base of operations, from which they would set out on their missions, usually splitting into two subgroups. In this way, they sought to commit more than one theft on the same day.

After identifying apartment buildings and houses that met their selection criteria, they would conduct checks to determine whether the residents were away. In some cases, they used the method of marking doors to verify whether the homes remained unoccupied.

Then, mainly during the evening hours, they proceeded to break into the selected apartments, either by using keys or by picking the lock. In other cases, they gained access through skylights or balcony doors, while they often stationed a member of the organization outside the apartment building to act as a lookout.

They were most active during holidays and vacation periods, taking advantage of the increased likelihood that tenants would be away.

Once inside the homes, they searched all rooms and stole money, jewelry, and other valuables.

They maintained an organized intelligence network to identify suitable homes, and in some cases, a member of the organization worked as a domestic helper to gather the necessary information.

For their internal communications, in addition to their personal phone lines, they used “operational” cell phones and SIM cards, as well as phone lines registered under third parties’ names.

They possessed specialized knowledge regarding types of keys and locks, which allowed them, in several cases, to enter apartments without leaving any visible signs of forced entry.

Finally, they divided the proceeds from the thefts equally among themselves. Part of this was set aside to cover legal expenses in the event that a member was arrested, as well as their daily needs, while another portion was transferred abroad.

The police investigation revealed that the members of the criminal organization had distinct roles and duties, which complemented one another during the planning and execution of the thefts.

Regarding their specific roles:

The 37-year-old foreign national, as the leader and coordinator, allegedly determined, on a case-by-case basis, the areas and targets, coordinate the actions of the other members, and keep himself informed of the progress of their activities. At the same time, he maintained contact with individuals operating abroad.

The 43-year-old foreign national, as a coordinating and operational member, played a particularly active role in the organization’s activities. He participated in surveilling potential targets and carrying out the burglaries, and, in the absence of the ringleader, he took charge of coordinating the other members. Vehicles in his possession were also used for the group’s transportation.

The 22-year-old foreign national participated in the organization’s operations and, as needed, he would monitor the exterior of apartment buildings, alerting the other members to the arrival of tenants or other individuals.

The other operational members, aged 36, 40, and 31, as well as another 31-year-old, served as lower-level operatives. They participated in surveying areas and homes, identifying suitable targets, preparing for the burglaries, and, as needed, carrying out the thefts or keeping watch over the scene. At the same time, new individuals were recruited into the organization and used as peripheral members during the commission of burglaries and thefts.

The 48-year-old foreign national, acting as an informant, allegedly provided the other members with information about specific homes and the times when their occupants were away. Specifically, because of her job as a domestic helper, she had access to relevant information, which she allegedly passed on to the members of the organization, facilitating the selection of targets.

Furthermore, the financial investigation revealed that the defendants did not engage in steady professional activity nor did they have a steady source of income, using the proceeds from their criminal activities to cover their living expenses.

At the same time, it was determined that, through money transfer companies, they had sent a total of approximately 76,000 euros to accounts in a foreign country.

The investigation so far has uncovered a total of 23 cases of burglaries, thefts, and attempted thefts, which were committed in Agia Paraskevi, Palaio Faliro, Chalandri, Nea Ionia, Galatsi, Athens, Kallithea, Zografou, Petralona, and Pagrati.

During searches conducted at residences and on the persons of those arrested, the following items, among others, were found and seized:

* a large quantity of jewelry, gold items, and valuables,

* a large number of watches from various brands,

* a large number of designer handbags and sunglasses,

* a large number of cell phones and SIM cards,

* a large number of imitation jewelry items,

* a large number of perfumes,

* a large number of cameras, camcorders, and camera lenses,

* a large number of laptops, tablets, and other electronic devices,

* sets of silver-plated cutlery with a variety of designs on the handles,

* sets of silver-plated cutlery,

* -6- silver-plated and gold-plated religious icons,

* -2- game consoles and -14- video games,

* a case containing -40- pens,

* -1,300- euros from a piggy bank,

* a number of burglary tools,

* a large number of keys of various types,

* cards and documents related to money transfer services,

* lottery tickets and other items, the origin of which is under investigation.

In addition, a vehicle was seized as a means used to facilitate their criminal activity.

It is estimated that the illegal financial gain derived by the members of the organization from their criminal activity exceeds 179,000 euros.

The arrested individuals, who have been convicted in the past for similar offenses, and against whom restrictive conditions have been imposed and who have served prison sentences, were brought before the competent prosecuting authority.

The investigation is continuing to fully ascertain the extent of the organization’s criminal activity and the possible involvement of its members in other criminal acts.”

Source: Proto Thema