February 11, 1955
GREEK NEO-REALISM: Officers of the Athens General Security force have arrested two 17-year-old high school pupils, (…) an 18-year-old ironworker, (…) an unemployed man, 20, (…) and an 18-year-old junk collector. After meeting at a party on January 29, the group set themselves up as a gang to commit thefts in order to obtain money to travel to Italy in search of adventure. The five youths bought a hacksaw in Abyssinia Square and on February 4 stole a jeep belonging to the former police chief N. Bourantas and went to a printer’s in Elpidos Street, where they broke in through the skylight and stole a small hand-operated press and a stylograph. Then, after failing to break into a kiosk on Patission Street, they were more successful at another kiosk a short distance away, where they stole 850 drachmas, electric lights, pens, cigarettes and chocolate. However, while they were packing their booty, they were noticed by an officer on patrol and were forced to flee, leaving the goods inside the jeep, which they abandoned. The youths managed to escape but were later apprehended and brought before the juvenile court prosecutor.
