Criminal gang dismantled: 57 thefts solved in İskeçe, Rhodope and Kavala
Following a lengthy investigation, police have solved 57 theft cases across the regions of İskeçe, Rhodope, and Kavala. Teams from the İskeçe Crime Investigation and Detection Department identified a criminal gang consisting of eight local suspects, who were found to have committed crimes together with another unidentified accomplice.
In a coordinated operation carried out on December 12, 2025, two members of the gang were arrested in İskeçe. Police units from both İskeçe and Gümülcine took part in the operation, which also involved the use of unmanned aerial vehicles (drones).
According to police statements, the suspects aimed to obtain significant financial gain by committing thefts from homes, shops, vehicles, and automobiles between September 7 and December 11, 2025. Investigations conducted so far have identified the following incidents:
- 29 thefts from shops
- 9 thefts from homes (8 completed, 1 attempted)
- 3 thefts from vehicles
- 16 thefts from automobiles (14 completed, 2 attempted)
During these crimes, gang members stole cash, jewelry, cigarette packs, alcoholic beverages, electronic devices, mobile phones, and various tools and equipment.
Lawful searches carried out at the suspects’ residences led to the seizure of stolen items, clothing, and a women’s handbag. Stolen vehicles were also recovered and returned to their owners.
Criminal proceedings have been initiated against the suspects on charges of “forming a criminal organization” and “aggravated theft.” Those arrested were referred to the Xanthi Prosecutor’s Office, while efforts to locate the remaining suspects are ongoing.
