From brawls with police officers and incidents of soccer hooliganism, to bank robberies, car thefts and ATM explosions. That is the profile of the eight-member group behind the Kato Tithorea bank robbery, now in the hands of Greek police. According to sources, the robbery gang had been involved in a total of 11 robberies, including the most recent one.
Authorities describe them as a criminal gang with no terrorist background, made up of individuals between 24 and 33 years old, long known to law enforcement for incidents involving drugs and violent confrontations with officers. According to exclusive information, “wherever there was trouble, they were there.”
The robberies reportedly financed their lifestyle, their travels and their day-to-day expenses.
The Two Women and Their Role
Among those arrested are two women who, according to the same sources, were partners of core members of the group. One had previously come to the attention of authorities in connection with soccer violence incidents. Both women are believed to have played an active role in the logistics of the group’s movements and in facilitating escapes after robberies.
Police believe the gang operated as a “closed nucleus,” with absolute trust among members and clearly defined roles.
The gang did not strike randomly. It would deliberately target bank branches located at least half an hour away from the nearest police station, ensuring maximum escape time. They used stolen vehicles, changed routes regularly and took care to erase their tracks immediately after each job.
After the Kato Tithorea robbery, however, they made a critical mistake.
The Bleach That Gave Them Away
Following the robbery, the suspects abandoned their first getaway vehicle at an isolated spot on the road toward Zemeno. There, they attempted to wipe it down with bleach in order to destroy DNA and fingerprints.
The process cost them precious time.
According to sources, officers from the Security Directorate had already been tracking them from the moment they left the bank, having mapped part of their movements in advance. Shortly afterward, a second vehicle appeared at the scene, driven by a female member of the group who had come to pick up the others. Officers from the Organized Crime Unit (DAOE) intervened immediately, making the first five arrests on the spot. Raids on residences followed, leading to the capture of the remaining three members.
Authorities estimate that the gang was active for approximately four years and is being investigated for involvement in seven additional bank robberies, with the most recent prior heist taking place in Katohi, Messolonghi, as well as one ATM explosion and at least ten vehicle thefts.
During the searches, a significant arsenal was also recovered, including Kalashnikov rifles, pistols, Scorpion submachine gun magazines, detonators and hand grenades, all of which are now being examined by forensic laboratories.
