Uncontrolled organised crime activity is putting Larnaca police on red alert, believed to be connected to at least five serious criminal acts within just one month.
From 14 July until today (15/8), three attempted murders were committed; shots were fired at a 25-year-old woman’s vehicle, and in the early hours, unknown persons set fire to a 42-year-old man’s car.
According to philenews information from police sources, there are indications that criminal acts in the last 24 hours may be connected.
These include the attempted murder of a security guard and the arson of four cars at a car rental company in Pyla and the car arson used by a 42-year-old in Aradippou. Investigations are also focusing on Central Prison, where searches were conducted yesterday.
Larnaca CID investigators are examining whether previous criminal acts are connected, whilst according to the same sources, specific measures have been taken in an attempt to halt organised crime activity that has “awakened” Larnaca’s night.
Perpetrators of the new criminal act struck at 3:30 in the early hours by setting fire to a car outside a house in Aradippou, which was subsequently found to be used by the 42-year-old.
The fire was extinguished by the Fire Service and caused extensive damage to the vehicle. Preliminary investigations revealed it was malicious action, as traces of flammable material were found. CCTV footage was retrieved from the area to determine whether the perpetrators’ movements were recorded.
Exactly 24 hours earlier, another criminal act was committed at the Pyla company. According to police testimony, a vehicle approached the company premises, and two persons got out.
One held a pistol whilst the second carried a container with flammable material. The gunman fired one shot towards the security guard inside the company offices, with the bullet hitting an adjacent column next to him.
Subsequently, under gunpoint threat, the perpetrator pinned him to the ground whilst the second person doused four vehicles with flammable material and set them on fire.
On 8 August, shots were fired at a 25-year-old woman’s vehicle in Oroklini, believed to be a message to her partner, who is known to authorities.
On 31 July at 11:00, an attempted murder was committed targeting a 47-year-old in Dromolaxia Industrial Area. On 14 July, another attempted murder targeted a 49-year-old in Pyla, who was wounded in the leg.
So far, all five criminal acts remain unsolved.
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