An Italian man has been extradited to Malta and arrested in connection with a series of snatch and grabs as a result of collaboration between Maltese and Italian authorities, the police said in a statement.

Following successful investigations in relation to a series of jewellery thefts, it was discovered that an Italian man, along with some others, had been conducting a series of snatch and grab thefts in establishments around Zebbug, Ta' Qali, and St Julian's, the police said.

The thefts reportedly involved the thieves pulling necklaces off victims' necks and fleeing the scene. Last June, a number of Italians had been arrested and brought to Court, the police added.

In this instance, the man, who is 24-years-old, allegedly forms part of an organised crime group known to carry out these types of thefts, the police said.

He had managed to escape from Malta and gone to Italy at the same time that his accomplices had been arrested, the police said. A European arrest warrant was issued, and he was immediately arrested upon his arrival in Italy, with some stolen jewellery being found in his possession.

The court case took place on Thursday and was before Magistrate Joseph Gatt. The accused admitted to all the charges against him and has been sentenced to two and a half years imprisonment, the police said.