The incident took place on Eresou Street, in an apartment whose owners were away on vacation. The two suspects reportedly spotted the empty home and decided to break in. They first tried to force the apartment’s front door but failed, so they changed plans and attempted to enter through the balcony door instead.
Neighbors noticed their movements and alerted police. Officers arrived at the scene and entered the apartment through the balcony themselves, since they didn’t know whether anyone inside might need help.
Once inside, however, they found themselves face to face with the two burglars, who were still holding the stolen items. Although the officers restrained them, they then realized no one could get out of the apartment.
The front door was locked, and with the owners away, the officers and the two men they’d arrested were left stuck inside. The situation was resolved when the Fire Service intervened, with firefighters arriving at the scene and bringing both the officers and the two burglars down from the balcony.
According to Ethnos, screwdrivers and a pair of pliers were also found in the apartment, reportedly used by the suspects in their attempt to force the door.
The two men were taken to the Exarcheia Police Station and arrested. The investigation found they had run afoul of authorities before, having been arrested a few months earlier for supermarket thefts. One of the two was also under restrictive conditions at the time.
