Robbery in Kato Tithorea: The getaway car of the perpetrators was found intact

The vehicle was discovered intact — but thoroughly cleaned — in Agia Marina in Zemeno, Arachova, following the bank robbery in Kato Tithorea on Monday morning (11/5).

The Directorate for Combating Organized Crime, which has taken over the investigation, was desperately searching for traces of the perpetrators after their escape.

During their getaway, some money reportedly fell out of their bag. They hastily collected as much as they could, got into the SUV stolen from Attica, and fled in an unknown direction. Police authorities immediately issued an alert across the prefectures of Fthiotida, Fokida, Viotia, and Attica. According to initial rough estimates, the robbers’ haul is believed to amount to around €200,000.

It appears that four individuals took part in the robbery, heavily armed and carrying grenades. Two perpetrators, whose facial features were concealed with silicone masks, wigs, and hats, entered the bank branch. One was armed with a pistol, while the other carried a short automatic weapon, possibly an UZI. They immobilized customers and employees inside the bank. (3D reconstruction).

Outside the bank, another accomplice acted as a lookout while holding what appeared to be a Kalashnikov-type assault rifle, while a fourth accomplice waited in the getaway car in the driver’s seat.

The robber carrying the UZI forced the bank manager downstairs to the vault area, where they waited approximately 15 minutes for the time-delay mechanism to unlock the safe. He then removed all the money inside, while his accomplice stole cash from the counters.

Immediately afterward, the group fled together, got into the vehicle, and escaped in an unknown direction. The incident occurred shortly before 10 a.m., and police were notified at 10:02. By the time the first patrol cars arrived, the perpetrators had vanished. It appears they were well aware of the security weaknesses in the surrounding area and therefore were not concerned about the vault’s time-delay mechanism.

Robbery in Kato Tithorea: The robber disguised as an elderly man

The investigation has been assigned to the Directorate for Combating Organized Crime, whose officers are examining possible similarities with other robberies targeting banks and post offices in rural areas. Particular attention is being given to the robbery in Kalavryta on May 27 last year. In that case, the perpetrators robbed an ELTA post office using a similar method, weaponry, and clothing.

In particular, one suspect is believed to have worn a silicone mask and wig resembling an elderly man, along with a plaid shirt and black vest.

Authorities are also examining robberies that recently took place in Loutraki and Western Greece, although those incidents do not appear to share as many similarities with the Kato Tithorea robbery as the Kalavryta case does. In every instance, however, the perpetrators seem to target small towns and villages, ensuring they have enough time before police forces can be mobilized and arrive at the scene.

The Counterterrorism Service has also been informed about the incident, as is standard procedure in similar cases, although authorities currently consider it more likely to be the work of an ordinary criminal gang.