A Macedonian man has been charged by police in connection with a string of thefts from shops across the country.

Police said that the man, who is 32 years old, was arrested on Saturday night in St Julian’s and is set to be charged on Wednesday.

Identified as Gruevski Vasko in court, prosecutors said that he had been living in Malta under the false name of Georgiev Ivanov and had fake identification documents made out in that name.

It is understood that he had travelled to Malta after escaping from prison in North Macedonia's capital of Skopje

He has been connected to nine robberies from shops in Valletta, Qormi, Sliema, Naxxar, and Mellieha.  The robberies all happened at night between June and November of this year.

Police sadi that a large number mobile phones and laptops were stolen from these shops, while a significant amount of money was stolen from another shop in Naxxar.

The man also attempted to rob shops in Birkirkara, Tarxien, Marsa and Gzira but was unsuccessful.

Police said that the value of the objects that the man did steal was of around €150,000.

Prosecutors presented no less than 23 charges against the man, including nine counts of thefts and four of attempted theft, as well as making false declarations to public authorities, falsifying and making use of a falsified passport, driving a moped without a licence or insurance and recidivism, due to having several convictions abroad.

Vasko was seemingly unfazed in court, and did not confirm his details nor enter a plea.

Lawyers Christopher Chircop was legal aid defence counsel. Police Inspectors Joseph Mercieca, Lydon Zammit, and Christine Delia prosecuted, assisted by lawyer Kevin Valletta from the Office of the Attorney General.