Two arrests for theft of artworks worth €200,000 from workshop in Nea Ionia
Two foreign nationals, aged 29 and 24, were arrested on 6 October while removing artworks from the historic workshop of sculptor Georgios Lappas in Nea Ionia.
Theft of artworks from sculpture monument in Nea Ionia — two arrests
Two men, aged 29 and 24, were arrested in the early hours of 6 October in the act of removing artworks from a sculpture workshop in Nea Ionia, according to In.gr. The arrest was carried out by officers from the Immediate Action patrol unit of the General Police Directorate of Attica.
A large number of burglary tools were found in the possession of the two suspects and confiscated. The preliminary investigation by the Department for Prosecution and Investigation of Crimes in Nea Ionia uncovered a total of five thefts — the two are said to have acted continuously over the past two weeks. The estimated value of the removed artworks is calculated at over €200,000.
A file was opened against them for aggravated theft carried out continuously, damage to others' property and violation of legislation for the protection of antiquities and cultural heritage. The arrested individuals were brought before the competent prosecutor.
The location where the thefts took place is the industrial building and workshop of sculptor Georgios Lappas at Herakleiou Avenue 155, at the corner with Amissos and Sangarios Streets, in the Municipality of Nea Ionia. The building has been designated as a monument by the Ministry of Culture as an example of industrial architecture from the first half of the 20th century.
This is not the first time the premises have been targeted by thieves. In 2024, two Greek nationals, aged 50 and 39, were arrested and charged with similar offences — aggravated theft carried out continuously, damage to others' property and violation of the law for the protection of cultural heritage.
Source: In.gr