Big haul of jewellery items stolen from Ta' Qali

Burglars raided Mario's jewellery and filigree shop at the Ta' Qali Crafts Village at the weekend and made off with a large amount of finished items.

Owner Charles Busuttil said yesterday the value of the haul was still being assessed but it was substantial and would certainly run into tens of thousands of liri.

Whoever broke into the two linked Nissen huts first tried to gain access to the structure by removing the bars and an iron grid on a window at the back. But the attempt was unsuccessful.

The burglars then forced open the steel front door, using a lever to break the lock. They also deactivated a burglar alarm and cut off telephone lines and the electricity supply.

Mr Busuttil said one of the two safes inside the huts was cut open with an acetylene burner. The safe was emptied of a considerable quantity of jewellery, including bracelets, rings, earrings, necklaces and other finished products as well as some money. An attempt to open the second safe failed, the owner said.

Most of the jewellery items displayed on the shelves inside the shop was also taken.

Some Lm500 in cash was also stolen.

The burglary was discovered by the owner when he went to open the shop yesterday morning. The outlet last opened for business on Saturday.

Magistrate Jacqueline Padovani Grima appointed Dr Stefano Filletti as court expert to help in an inquiry.