Villa gang foiled after 8 arrests
A gang that stole some 2 million euros’ worth of luxury cars and valuables from villas in Attica has been netted after combined operations in Piraeus and Trikala, in central Greece, led to the arrests of eight Albanian nationals, police said yesterday. The seven men and one woman apprehended had operated in two groups, Attica Criminal Investigation Department chief Stefanos Skotis said, and were responsible for at least 26 break-ins between them. Their loot included jewelry, electronic equipment and 12 vehicles. The cars were sold on in Greece, smuggled into Albania and used to transport illegal immigrants, Skotis added. Three gang members were arrested earlier in the week for using two of the stolen cars to traffic 22 migrants. They were given eight-year jail sentences and fined 23,000 euros each. During the raids in Piraeus and Trikala, which were conducted by police officers and border guards, a gun, explosives and small amounts of cocaine were confiscated. Skotis said the police are looking for a Greek man and four more Albanians in connection with the crimes.
