Five suspects arrested in Athens in connection with armed robbery

Five suspects have been arrested in Athens in connection with the armed robbery of a security van restocking an ATM with cash.

According to preliminary reports, the suspects are aged between 46 and 53 and are members of the same criminal organization.

They were also found to be in possession of heavy-duty weapons, the Hellenic Police (ELAS) said.

The robbery occurred shortly after 9 a.m. in the town of Varnavas in East Attica, as security workers from a private company delivered cash to an ATM attached to a local business in a square.

The security officers were held at gunpoint by two men who had their faces covered with masks and managed to make off with several trays of cash intended to restock the ATM, ELAS said.

The assailants reportedly arrived at the scene of the heist on a motorcycle that failed to start when they tried to make their getaway. This prompted them to stop a passing car, in which they fled after forcing its driver out at gunpoint, according to ELAS.