Three members of a gang of metal thieves that allegedly caused over half a million euros in damage to the power grid have been arrested in northern Greece following a dangerous road chase in which officers came under gunfire, police said Sunday.
A police statement said the three suspects were taken into custody near Thessaloniki Saturday. It said officers tried to stop the suspects’ car after spotting that it had been registered as stolen, whereupon the suspects rammed two patrol cars and drove off.
During the ensuing chase, a shotgun was fired at pursuing police from the fleeing suspects, who crashed into another car – injuring its two occupants – before finally coming to a halt. Even then the suspects tried to run away but were overpowered and detained.
They were found to be carrying copper-rich parts of electric transformers stolen from the regional grid, police said, while overall the gang is believed to have stolen nearly 100 transformers since January. Rising copper prices have triggered a spate of thefts targeting transformers and other electric infrastructure.
The three Greek men aged 45, 37 and 35 face charges including attempted murder, aggravated theft, membership of a criminal organisation, grievous bodily harm and dangerous driving.
