Two members of the criminal organisation known as the "Pink Panthers" have been arrested abroad in connection with a major robbery at a jewellery shop in Halkidiki on 2 September 2025, in which watches and valuables worth nearly 580,000 euros were stolen.
Greek police identified two foreign nationals, aged 48 and 46, against whom European arrest warrants were issued. They were arrested in Bulgaria and Croatia, respectively.
The suspects are members of a criminal organisation structured within transnational criminal groups and networks linked to Balkan organised crime, specialising in jewellery store robberies characterised by a high level of organisation, adaptability and evolving methods of operation. According to police, through international cooperation and the exchange of information with authorities in various European countries and Europol, it was determined that four members of the criminal organisation were active in Greece between 20 August and 2 September 2025, intending to execute the jewellery shop robbery. During the robbery, the 48-year-old, acting together with an unidentified accomplice, restrained two employees at gunpoint and stole luxury watches and valuables with a total value of 579,805.75 euros. At the same time, the 46-year-old, together with an unidentified female accomplice, posed as visitors and kept watch over the surrounding area.
The 48-year-old is known to Swiss authorities in connection with residential burglaries, while investigators are examining their possible involvement in similar armed robberies in other European countries in 2024 and 2025. Following their arrests, a decision by the competent judicial authorities is expected regarding their extradition to Greece.