A 49-year-old, and two 38-year-olds suspected of being the former’s accomplices, were remanded for eight days on allegations of burglary and assaulting a police officer in Limassol on Sunday, police said on Monday.

“Serious burglaries have been recorded in various areas of Limassol, such as Panthea, Ayios Athanasios and Yermasoyia river areas,” said Limassol deputy police director Lefteris Kyriakou.

The three are believed to be members of a group using specialised tools to break into secured homes and were found to be in possession of “jewellery and valuables worth tens of thousands of euros” which were found in their apartment.

Information received by the police in recent days had indicated that suspects matching public descriptions were living in a specific apartment, while a vehicle used by the three suspects had been tracked down.

The apartment, Kyriakou said, had been placed under surveillance and that meanwhile, the vehicle in question had been stopped for inspection, resulting in the arrest of its 49-year-old driver for a routine inspection, during which he allegedly pushed an officer in an unsuccessful attempt to escape the scene.

During the subsequent investigation, the police identified two 38-year-olds believed to be involved in criminal activity with the man.

The arrest prompted the police to proceed with a search of the 49-year-old’s apartment, during which several burglary tools, gold and jewellery, mobile phones and various other items were found.

According to the police, an explanation for their possession was refused by the three suspects.