In an unusual turn of events, police and two burglary suspects had to be rescued by firefighters after becoming locked inside an apartment in the Exarcheia district of central Athens.
The two men, both Georgian nationals, targeted a flat whose owners were away on vacation. After failing to force the front door, they climbed in through a balcony door, neighbors told police.
Neighbors alerted authorities, and officers also entered through the balcony. Inside, they found the suspects holding stolen items and detained them.
But the front door remained locked from the inside, and no one could exit.
Firefighters were called to the scene on Eresou Street and used ladders to bring the officers and the two suspects down from the balcony, according to reports.
Police said tools including screwdrivers and pliers were found inside the apartment.
The two men were taken to the Exarcheia police station, charged and sent to jail.
Investigators said both suspects had prior run-ins with police, including recent arrests for shoplifting, and one was already under court-imposed restrictions.