Athens police bust robbery ring

Three men, aged 19, 24 and 29, were detained in the Athens nieghborhood of Patissia on Wednesday in connection with a string of raids in which stolen cars were used to smash through the front of supermarkets and other stores before the robbers escaped with cash and goods.

According to police sources, after the raids, the ring members would drive the stolen vehicles to remote areas and torch them.

They have been linked to at least 17 robberies and are believed to have netted more than 100,000 euros in cash and merchandise.

The trio were charged with belonging to a criminal gang, theft and arson.

A fourth suspect, aged 21, was being sought.