Two suspects on the run in Limassol shooting of policeman

Authorities are looking for two suspects in connection with a shooting incident in Limassol on Saturday, while a police officer who was critically wounded had to be taken to Israel for emergency treatment.

Following a tip from an off-duty cop, two police officers approached a suspicious vehicle in Ypsonas, Limassol, on Saturday night. The car was a rental from which shots were fired wounding two officers, one seriously. The critically wounded police officer was airlifted to a hospital in Tel Aviv.

CID Limassol is asking the public for any information they can share about the suspects, 38-year-old Elias Mouzos and 33-year-old Charalambos Kalogerides, who are wanted in connection with attempted murder, illegal possession of a gun and explosives, and shooting a firearm in a residential area. 

Both men have a criminal record accordign to police. Kalogerides is also connected with bank robbery cases in Limassol and Paphos and was reportedly identified by eye witnesses who saw him inside the vehicle. Mouzos had been involved in cases with connection to theft, drugs, and a murder.

A Bulgarian man, aged 35, was arrested Sunday afternoon in connection with the case. He was seen walking on Limassol-Paphos highway when officers arrested him. He is believed to have been inside a rental car, from which the two officers were shot.

A 31-year-old man, from a village in the Paphos district, was also arrested Sunday morning in connection with the case under investigation. Reports say he was injured at the time of his arrest, with two leg wounds appearing to have been caused by a firearm. He was taken to Nicosia General Hospital where guards are keeping him in police custody.

Another suspect, a 33-year-old woman from Slovakia, was arrested and police said the rental car was registered to her name. 

Police investigators believe that the officers may have prevented a murder, where they believe the target was someone from the underworld. But they did not name the target nor was it clear if they knew the name. 

Authorities are asking the public to contact CID Limassol if they have any information by contacting their nearest police station, or calling 25.805.057 or the 1460 hotline.