Μake us preferred on Google A group of four armed men attempted to steal an ATM from a company’s premises in the central Greek city of Larissa early Sunday, initially taking two security guards hostage before fleeing empty-handed.
Three or four suspects attempted to break into the premises. During the operation, they allegedly held two guards working in the building hostage.
Police arrived at the scene, forcing the would-be robbers to abandon their attempt and flee without taking any cash.
A police pursuit followed, during which shots were fired. No injuries were reported.
The suspects escaped and set fire to their getaway vehicle in an attempt to destroy evidence. The burned-out car was found early Sunday in the area of Damasi, near Larissa.
Similar incidents across Greece
Similar incidents have been reported across Greece in recent months, including ATM bombings in central Greece and Corinth prefecture, where suspects stole tens of thousands of euros. In September, two men were arrested over an ATM bombing and vehicle thefts in central Greece, while a separate investigation in July targeted a criminal gang suspected of carrying out nine ATM explosions or attempted attacks and stealing more than 440,000 euros.
Other cases included an ATM explosion in Vrilissia, northern Athens, in June and an armed bank robbery at the Kato Tithorea town in May, in which four suspects reportedly stole around 200,000 euros. Several investigations have examined possible links between ATM attacks, armed robberies and vehicle thefts.
