Larnaca, Cyprus. Police said new evidence has linked the July 6 attempted robbery of a jewellery shop in Larnaca with the attempted robbery of a bank in Kiti on June 19. Two suspects, aged 41 and 33, have been arrested in connection with the jewellery shop case.
Joint investigation
Larnaca police criminal investigation head George Charalambous said on Friday evening that police were now investigating both cases together.
Police said they are investigating conspiracy to commit a crime, attempted robbery, illegal possession of a firearm, assault occasioning actual bodily harm and carrying a firearm to incite terror.
Kiti bank incident
According to police, on June 19 two people in a saloon car parked outside a bank in Kiti. Wearing masks and carrying a sports bag, they approached the bank, but the security doors did not open. After a few seconds, they drove away.
Larnaca jewellery shop incident
Police said the attempted armed robbery in central Larnaca took place on July 6, when the 73-year-old jewellery shop owner was injured after resisting the suspect.
Charalambous said police were notified at around 9am that a man had entered a jewellery store wearing a black motorcycle helmet, a black long-sleeved shirt and a food delivery company vest.
The suspect allegedly threatened the owner with a gun. During the struggle, the suspect hit the owner on the head, causing an injury that required stitches.
Police said the owner managed to force the suspect out of the shop before he escaped in a vehicle waiting outside.