Three men who allegedly entered and stole from shops and band clubs by removing the bricks of buildings were charged yesterday with a collective five thefts and four attempted thefts.
Carmel Hartley, aged 33, Richard Anthony Edwards, aged 26 and 20-year-old Matthew Catania, all from San Gwann, were taken to court yesterday evening where they pleaded not guilty to various counts of theft and attempted theft committed during May and June 2005.
All three were accused of trying to steal from In and Out snack bar in Burmarrad on 14 June at around 1.30am and from the St Anthony band club in Birkirkara on 13 June. They were also accused of receiving stolen goods.
Mr Hartley and Mr Edwards were charged with stealing cash, hi-fi equipment, power tools and telephonic vouchers from two shops, Power Centre in Ghaxaq on 2 June and Auto Silencer Services in Tarxien in the months prior to this date.
The two were also accused of stealing cash and cigarettes from the St Anthony band club as well as other items from the Qormi Bocci club. They were accused of trying to steal from the In and Out snack bar in Burmarrad on another occasion in May this year.
Mr Hartley alone was charged with stealing various items, including a shotgun and a revolver, from a garage in Qormi, filing a false report and stealing the four hub caps of a car in Ta’ Xbiex.
Sources close to the investigation claimed the men would remove bricks from a wall of the building they intended to steal from and enter the premises through the hole they had made.
After hearing that Mr Hartley had cooperated with the police and had even returned the stolen items, and that Mr Edwards had been wanted by the police for a number of years regarding a pending court case against him, presiding magistrate Joseph Cassar ordered all three accused to be remanded in custody. He also recommended that the prison authorities detain Mr Catania in the youth section of the facility.
Inspector Michael Mallia prosecuted while Dr David Camilleri and Dr Beppe Fenech Adami appeared for the accused.