An off-duty police officer arrested a 33-year-old man of Chilean origin on Thursday afternoon at the “Megaron Mousikis” metro station, after he was caught red-handed stealing €635 from a passenger’s pocket.

According to police sources, the suspect, who works as a rubbish collector, was operating in tandem with an accomplice aboard a metro train. The accomplice staged a medical emergency, pretending to feel faint and on the verge of vomiting, to create artificial crowding and distract nearby passengers. This allowed the 33-year-old to discreetly pickpocket the victim.

The off-duty officer, who witnessed the incident, immediately intervened, restraining the suspect and notifying the Emergency Operations Center.

Rapid Response Unit officers quickly arrived at the scene and took the suspect into custody. He was transported to the Department for the Investigation and Detection of Regimental Crimes, where the stolen cash was recovered in his possession and subsequently returned to the rightful owner.

The suspect was brought before the public prosecutor, while the search continues for his accomplice.