Armed robbery at bank rings terrorism bells

An armed robbery at a bank in the seaside town Aghioi Theodoroi in Corinth on Wednesday has set off alarm bells in the police's counterterrorism force, as similarities emerged with past holdups linked to urban guerrilla groups.

The robbery involved at least three people, investigators said. Two wore Halloween masks and trenchcoats, and threatened tellers with handguns, managing to grab 4,000 euros before the bank's alarm went off. A third man kept watch outside and drove the getaway car, as the two armed men fired shots into the air.

The car was found a few hours later and had been torched, suggesting that the robbers wanted to destroy forensic evidence. The vehicle is believed to have been stolen and fitted with fake license plates.