The 41-year-old accused of his involvement in a series of armed robberiestogether with his accomplice, in convenience stores and a gas station in Thessalonikimade his way to prison.
The defendant, who was arrested at noon on Thursday in the center of Thessaloniki, was taken to the Courthouse this morning and after his statement to the investigator, he was temporarily detained. The 41-year-old apologized without the presence of a lawyer. As established by the investigation of the Property Crimes Department, he was involved in four cases of robberies in various areas of Thessaloniki that took place last May.
A case file was filed against him by the Directorate for Combating Organized Crime of Northern Greece, for – as the case may be – criminal organization, robbery with complicity, as well as violation of the laws on weapons and drugs.
According to information, the arrested, along with his 42-year-old accomplice who has been in prison since last June for another caseit appears that they used a rental vehicle with which they drove past midnight hours to cafes – convenience stores and gas stations and with the threat of a knife and a gun removed sums of money.
In fact, the 41-year-old was not unknown to the authorities since in 2010 he was accused of complicity in homicide after an armed robbery in Thessaloniki, with the victim being a 38-year-old foreigner. For this particular case, the 41-year-old had served 10 years in prison.
In the video document recorded by the company’s security cameras and published yesterday by protothema.gr, we can see the moment when the 41-year-old arrives in the early hours of May 28 at the gas station in the Evosmos area, holding the pistol in his hand and having his features covered wearing a hoodie.
He first threatens the workers sitting outside and forces them to give him the money they have in their wallets, then leads them to the cash register of the business and takes the receipts. After he manages to grab 1,200 euros, he then runs away.
Video:
It is noted that from the preliminary investigation carried out by EL.AS. the criminal activity of the two defendants was determined as well as their joint participation in three robberies in areas of Thessaloniki, as follows:
– on 18-05-2024, in a convenience store – cafe, where, with the threat of a knife, they took the amount of 800 euros
– on 15-05-2024, in a convenience store, where with the threat of a knife, they removed the amount of 450 euros as well as packs of cigarettes worth 40 euros
-on 09-05-2024, in a convenience store, where they took the amount of 1,200 euros with the threat of a sharp object
At the same time, it emerged that the 41-year-old was involved in an armed robbery case at a gas station on May 28 in the same area, where, with the threat of a pistol, he removed the amount of 1,195 euros and fled.
From the investigation carried out, the following were found and confiscated in the 41-year-old’s house:
– firearm
– 4 cartridges
– folding knife
– tablet and tablet residue of drug preparations.
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**Interview with Legal Expert Dr. Maria Konstantinou on the Recent Armed Robberies in Thessaloniki**
**Editor:** Thank you for joining us today, Dr. Konstantinou. We’re discussing the recent arrest of a 41-year-old man in Thessaloniki, accused of armed robbery alongside an accomplice. What can you tell us about the circumstances of his arrest?
**Dr. Konstantinou:** Thank you for having me. The arrest occurred during a police operation in central Thessaloniki, and it appears that the suspect was apprehended without incident. He faces serious charges, including involvement in a series of armed robberies in May, which used threats of violence with weapons. What’s particularly concerning is the nature of these crimes happening in public spaces, such as convenience stores and gas stations.
**Editor:** He reportedly apologized during his statement but did so without legal representation. How unusual is that, and what could it indicate about his situation?
**Dr. Konstantinou:** It’s quite unusual for a defendant to make a statement without a lawyer present. This could suggest a variety of things—perhaps he felt confident in his defense, or maybe he was not fully aware of his legal rights at that moment. Generally speaking, it’s crucial for defendants to have legal counsel to navigate the complexities of criminal charges, especially ones as severe as these.
**Editor:** The accused has a prior history with the law, including a conviction related to a homicide during a robbery in 2010. How does a criminal record like his influence the current case?
**Dr. Konstantinou:** A criminal record, especially for violent offenses like homicide, can significantly impact both public perception and judicial proceedings. It may lead to harsher sentencing if convicted, as the court may view him as a repeat offender. The history also lends credibility to the allegations of planning and organization in these recent robberies, as he has demonstrated a prior willingness to engage in serious crimes.
**Editor:** There’s mention of a rental vehicle being used in the robberies. How common is it for criminals to use such methods to avoid detection?
**Dr. Konstantinou:** Using rental vehicles is a tactic often employed by criminals to evade law enforcement. It provides a level of anonymity, as these vehicles can typically be returned and there’s no direct link back to them if proper precautions are taken. However, advances in surveillance and tracking technology can make this strategy less effective than it once was.
**Editor:** what implications do cases like this have for community safety in Thessaloniki?
**Dr. Konstantinou:** Cases like this can create significant fear within the community. They highlight vulnerabilities in public safety and can lead to increased police presence and community discussions about crime prevention. It’s also a reminder of the ongoing challenges law enforcement faces in effectively addressing organized crime and violent behavior in urban settings. It’s crucial for both local authorities and communities to work together to respond and ensure a safer environment for everyone.
**Editor:** Thank you for your insights, Dr. Konstantinou. The situation remains complex, and we’ll continue to monitor developments in this case.
