By Aris Barkas/ barkas@eurohoops.net
Interpol has arrested five suspects in another wide-ranging crime spree that spanned the last week on Turkish Airlines Euroleague courts. According to police sources, all of the five were linked by investigators to hideous criminal activities, but once again the prosecutors couldn’t build a case against them.
Strangely enough, many witnesses decided in the last moment to alter their depositions and in many cases some of them were even rooting for the alleged criminals. It was an unexpected turn of events that left the police empty-handed as, once again, everyone was released. More than ever, be aware when you came across these five perpetrators.
Melih Mahmutoglu: He is a sniper from Istanbul who is methodically climbing the ranks of the notorious Fenerbahce gang. He made all his shots count in the big showdown against Anadolu Efes Istanbul, making one big hit after another on the way to Fenerbahce‘s Istanbul win. The aftermath of his actions were 14 points, 10 of them in last quarter, as he fired seven three-pointers and hit the bull’s-eye on four occasions. He is a new addition to the most-wanted list and this is probably not the last time that his name will pop up in police investigations.
Semih Erden: Another criminal element who had been connected in the past with Fenerbache, but now he has been seen working for the Dogus Darussafaka Istanbul crew. He seems like an easy-going guy, but when he has a job at hand, he is merciless. His reputation as a gangster made him travel even to the States, but he returned and he led his new gang to its first ever Turkish Airlines Euroleague Top 16 win over the Serbs of Crvena Zvezda Telekom Belgrade. Erden was devastating with 14 points and 6 rebounds, the outcome was decided by details and once again the police couldn’t do much to contain him.
Giorgos Printezis: Known simply for “the shot” at the end of the infamous Istanbul heist against CSKA Moscow four years ago, this shady character is now one of the kingpins of the Euroleague crime ring. You know he is always present when Olympiacos steals any kind of a game. According to many eyewitnesses he was brutal last week against the Russians, not of CSKA, but of Khimki Moscow Region. Olympiacos got the win and when Printezis, after scoring 30 points, was arrested, he posed as a Greek folk singer in order to be released. Believe or not, his voice was his ticket out of jail…
Daniel Theis: The “Freak City” gang has gained attention all over Europe and Theis, a jack of all trades, is one of the main people responsible for that. There’s nothing he can’t do. The German police were on the lookout for him since he was a teenager and the bad news for everyone else are that he is matured and ready to leave his mark in the annals of criminal history. Maybe 11 points and 8 rebounds doesn’t seem like much, but he did it against FC Barcelona Lassa and Brose Baskets Bamberg is dreaming playoffs dreams. So, be more than cautious when you approach him.
Malcolm Delaney: This is the third time his name is highlighted in the most-wanted list and he is slowly transforming from “just” a hitman to a legend. Already he is accused for wrongdoing in Athens, in Zagreb and, now, in Spain. He got 21 points and 7 assists while Lokomotiv Kuban Krasnodar prevailed in the territory of Unicaja Malaga. He is always armed, more than dangerous and he is not going to slow down any time soon. And even if there’s still many other possible targets for him, the Berlin authorities are already preparing measures for him, just in case.
Art credit: JPsportart