Four to face theft charges

Four suspects, including three women, are this morning expected to be arraigned in connection with a string of thefts, the police said.

Those being charged are aged between 21 and 35.

Officers of the criminal investigation department have solved 19 cases of theft from various localities which all bore the same hallmark: one person distracts the sales representative in order to clear the way for others to head for the cash register.

Amounts stolen during each theft vary from Lm20 to just under Lm300, sources said.

One of the women to be charged is allegedly connected with several of the 19 cases.

Police investigations continue and those who may have experienced a similar theft as that described above are being asked to contact CID Inspector Joseph Mercieca at the police headquarters on 2122 4001.

Statistics show there were 11,466 reports of theft last year, ranging from the theft of a flower pot to armed hold-ups. There were 812 thefts from bars and 69 thefts from factories. Retail outlets reported 416 cases of theft.