Builder at head of child gang?
A father of five from Hania was arrested on Wednesday on suspicion of having masterminded at least one lucrative burglary carried out by a gang of children aged 7-15. The 39-year-old builder, whose name was not made public, is to stand trial today in the western Cretan town. He was taken into custody after four boys, detained in connection with the burglary of a Hania marine equipment shop on Monday – during which intruders broke into the shop’s safe and stole 40,000 euros – told police he had organized the break-in. None of the suspect’s own children is believed to have been involved, but a nephew of his was. A search of the builder’s house revealed most of the stolen cash, while police uprooted a couple of marijuana plants found growing in his garden. The suspect is also awaiting trial for a murder attempt in Iraklion, for which he was remanded in prison but then released on bail. Yesterday, a Hania court ordered two boys aged 11 and 13 sent to a young offenders’ unit for participation in the burglary. A seven-year-old and a 15-year-old have also been arrested.
