Criminal Organization Dismantled – Members Carried Out ATM Break-ins Using Explosives

SECURITY - 12/03/2022. Author: Prodromos Peios

PRESS OFFICE OF PELOPONNESE JOURNALISTS

Tripoli, March 12, 2022

PRESS RELEASE

A criminal organization whose members carried out ATM break-ins at bank branches using explosives has been dismantled.

Three individuals, members of the organization, are accused in connection with these cases.

Charges have been filed against them for forming a criminal organization, multiple counts of aggravated theft, explosions, manufacturing and possession of explosives, violations of firearms legislation, and property damage.

Through their criminal activities, they had obtained illegal financial gain exceeding €174,000.

The criminal organization was dismantled by the Kalamata Security Sub-Directorate. Its members carried out ATM break-ins using explosives in the regions of Argolis and Messinia.

Three individuals are accused in connection with these cases: a 35-year-old Greek national and two foreign nationals, aged 42 and 47 respectively. They face charges of forming a criminal organization, multiple aggravated thefts, explosions, manufacturing and possession of explosives, violations of firearms legislation, and property damage.

As for the timeline of the dismantling, after several months of systematic police investigation conducted by the Kalamata Security Sub-Directorate—making combined use of appropriate evidence and the results of physical and technical methods, as well as findings and material evidence from the Corfu Security Sub-Directorate—it was established that the above individuals had formed, since June 2021, a criminal organization with the purpose of stealing money from bank ATMs.

Specifically, they targeted Automated Teller Machines installed either in supermarkets or in outdoor areas. Using explosives, they would cause explosions in order to remove cash from inside the ATMs, while also causing damage to surrounding areas.

As a result of the thorough and methodical police investigation, it was confirmed that, between June 26, 2021, and August 8, 2021, they had committed a total of four (4) ATM explosions—three (3) in a local community of the Municipality of West Mani, Messinia, and one (1) in Argos, Argolis.

From the above criminal activity, they had obtained illegal financial gain exceeding €174,000.

The case file will be submitted to the Prosecutor of the Court of First Instance of Kalamata, while the police investigation by the Kalamata Security Sub-Directorate continues in order to further explore the scope of the organization’s criminal activity and the possible involvement or participation of additional individuals.