Two young men have been charged in connection with a botched hold-up in Zabbar last month in which shots were fired.

Luke Vella, 23 and Marlon Baldacchino, 18, both from Zabbar, were arraigned before magistrate Donatella Frendo Dimech this morning, accused of complicity in aggravated theft.

Vella alone was also charged with breaching the conditions of a suspended sentence, breaching bail and recidivism.

Marcus John Calleja, 46, of Balzan had previously been charged in connection with the robbery and had pleaded not guilty. Calleja had been arrested after he had entered a shop, armed and wearing a hood, and demanded money from the owner, who resisted him with the assistance of bystanders. At that point Calleja had allegedly opened fire, before being arrested by police officers from the Rapid Intervention Unit.

However, no details emerged in court as to the involvement of the two men arraigned today or what had led to the arrests.

Lawyer Mark Busuttil, appearing for Baldacchino and lawyer Arthur Azzopardi, appearing for Vella, entered pleas of not guilty. Bail was not requested.

Inspectors Fabian Fleri, Lydon Zammit and Joanna Piscopo prosecuted.