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Police arrests “Pink Panthers” gang members for Rolex robbery in Athens

Greek Police announced on Friday the arrest of several members of the international Pink Panthers gang, who committed an armed robbery at a jewelry store in Athens on December 20, 2022.

The gang that robbed 24 luxury Rolex watches, with a total value of approximately 135,000 euros, was dismantled by the Department of Prosecution of Crimes Against Life and Property of Attica Security.

According to Police, five people were identified as members of the criminal organization, including a 35-year-old Greek and four foreigners, aged 35, 47, 48 and 63.

A case file was filed for criminal organization, robbery, aggravated theft by complicity as and for violating arms laws.

During the police operation on Thursday, March 2, in Piraeus and Gerakas, two 35-year-old men were arrested, while in searches carried out in houses, as well as in their possession, among other things, 950 euros were found and confiscated, 5 mobile phones, one of which is of high value, clothing worn during the robbery, a wig and a pair of gloves, a motorcycle helmet, 4 cartridges, a precision scale, a package of narcotics, possibly cocaine, gross weight 6.9 grams, a package of Indian cannabis, with a total gross weight of 5.7 grams, identity card and driver’s license issued by foreign Authorities, of doubtful authenticity, as well as various documents such as driver’s licenses, responsible declarations and bank cards.

According to police investigation, the gang was structured within the framework of the transnational criminal groups of Balkan organized crime, among which the Pink Panthers have a prominent place. These groups present international action and mainly target jewelry stores, where they commit robberies using the “smash and grab” method or burglaries using the “ram and raid” method. They operate in a “professional” manner, having as their leader a person with a lot of experience in the specific activity, they circulate with forged or falsified documents, taking special precautions while in all their attacks, they use autopsy and surveillance tactics of the store they have targeted, even several days before the “hit”.

It is noted that the motorcycles that were stolen and used in the robbery were located in Athens and returned to their owners.

According to police, all the members of the gang have previously concerned the authorities, both in Greece and abroad, for various crimes.

Those arrested are being taken to the public prosecutor, while the police investigation continues.

According to state broadcaster ERT, next to the arrested Greek are also nationals from Serbia and Montenegro, while a Bulgarian national is fugitive.

*thumbnail: archive from the Rolex robbery in downtown Athens in December

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