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War against the wealthy in the northern suburbs of Athens

08 December 2012 / 15:12:50  GRReporter
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The region of Krioneri-Agios Stefanos has been under police investigation since 3 a.m. on Friday morning. A gang of four foreigners, armed with automatic weapons, attacked well-known journalist Makis Triandafilopoulos on the corner of Thiseos Avenue and Antigoni Street. The journalist was in the area because he had heard gunshots near his home and wanted to know what was happening. Previously, the bandits who were wearing flak jackets and hoods, tried to rob a home in Papathanassiou Street in the district of Nea Erythrea. While trying to escape, however, they were found by the home's owners, who notified the police immediately. The police began chasing them, and shots were exchanged at least twice. The escapees abandoned the stolen car and escaped on foot. Meanwhile, more and more law enforcement officers arrived in the area to flank it. At the same time, the criminals stopped Makis Triandafilopoulos's car, aimed their weapons at him, and, speaking broken Greek, forced him to get out of the vehicle. They got in the car and drove to Krioneri.

The police began chasing them, and were soon able to surround them. Around 4 a.m. gunfire was exchanged again near the cemetery in the neighbourhood and a police car collided with Triandafilopoulos's car in an attempt to stop the thieves. The car stopped in a ravine and was abandoned there. The criminals tried to escape on foot, the car was found with traces of numerous shots on it, and a gun and grenades were also discovered in it. Reportedly, a police officer was wounded. A helicopter is flying over the area, and a lot of law enforcement officials are trying to find the escapees.

On Friday evening, there was some information that a man was arrested near Krioneri armed with a Kalashnikov. According to police sources, it is likely that he was a member of the band which led to the chase that same morning. Police officers saw two armed pedestrians on Friday night near Agios Stefanos. One of them was carrying a sub-machine-gun, and the other, who escaped, had a revolver. The arrested man was brought into the building of the security services of Attiki, where he will remain until transferred to the prosecution.

The members of the gang used the following tactics: they walked on foot, and after the robberies they left by a stolen car which was then abandoned. Police sources said that according to evidence found, the arrested is a 20-year-old man possessing Albanian citizenship, who has been previously registered with the police.

The rest of the offenders are still being searched for. Police officers in Krioneri have been positioned so that it seems that the search is focused in another direction. By creating the impression that control has decreased and is being directed to other regions, it is more likely that the criminals who are still hiding will be found.

Tags: northern suburbs robbery Makis Triandafilopoulos police chase
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