Arrest puts investigators on trail of car-robbery gang

A criminal racket operating in the southern coastal suburbs of Athens is believed to be behind the theft of 20 luxury cars in the regions of Glyfada, Vari, Voula and Vouliagmeni, police said on Thursday following the arrest of a 51-year-old Latvian man thought to be a member of the group.

Officers are also seeking a 42-year-old Greek woman and a 44-year-old Armenian man in connection with the racket.

According to investigators, the perpetrators observed their would-be victims after they parked their cars before following them to the beach, stealing their car keys from their bags and driving off with the vehicles.

Police said they had recovered 12 of the 20 stolen cars.