Newsroom
Authorities in Cyprus are warning residents to stay vigilant as reports of theft continue to rise, including a recent case involving €10,000 worth of jewelry stolen from a home in the Kofinou area. The burglary, reported to Kofinou police by a resident, happened between 8:30 a.m. and 11:30 a.m. on November 12 while the homeowner was away. The victim said her bedroom cupboard had been raided, though no forced entry was detected, and the property lacked an alarm or surveillance system.
In what appears to be part of a larger crackdown on stolen property, Nicosia police later discovered a trove of gold and jewelry during a search of a gold shop owned by a 78-year-old resident. The items, which included gold jewelry and two gold bars totaling 62.7 grams, are now under investigation to determine if they came from recent burglaries across Nicosia. Authorities say the shop owner, who was detained for questioning, allegedly admitted to buying gold without providing receipts, raising concerns about the sale and distribution of stolen goods.
The investigation unfolded after two suspects, aged 19 and 22, were apprehended over the weekend in connection with ten burglaries and thefts committed throughout 2024. During police questioning, the young men reportedly confessed to a series of thefts and acknowledged selling some of the stolen items to the 78-year-old's shop.
One homeowner whose property had been burglarized identified a piece of her stolen jewelry among the items recovered from the shop, leading police to charge the store owner with illegal possession of property. The elderly man remains in custody as police pursue additional leads and examine his claims about his business practices.
The connection between rising home thefts and the circulation of stolen valuables in local shops is a growing concern for law enforcement, who urge residents to secure their homes with alarms and surveillance systems. Authorities are hopeful that the arrests may lead to further breakthroughs in curbing a recent surge in burglaries across the Nicosia area.
