Alleged art thief expected in court today

At least one of the four men being held by the police in connection with the theft of paintings stolen from the Valletta home of Judge Giovanni Bonello is expected to be arraigned today.

Four men from Birkirkara, whose ages range between 29 and 45, were arrested on Tuesday following the discovery of 29 paintings behind a false wall in a garage and another in a bed storage space in a house, both in Birkirkara. Three of the men were arrested in the morning and the other in the afternoon.

The priceless paintings form part of a collection that Judge Bonello inherited from his father Vincenzo. The collection was still in the house where Mr Bonello lived in Old Bakery Street.

The burglary was discovered on April 5 by Anna Xuereb, the judge's sister, but could have taken place up to three weeks earlier.

Among the paintings stolen was a Caravaggio. There were also works by Caruana Dingli, Willie Apap, Paladini and Solemana. A number of old medallions were also found.

The thieves gained access into the building through a pavement grill which led to the cellar situated beneath the entrance hall of the house.

Police Commissioner John Rizzo, Deputy Commissioner Joe Cachia, Assistant Commissioner Emanuel Cassar and Inspector Michael Mallia are conducting the investigation.