Two charged with a number of thefts

Two men were yesterday charged with stealing cash and other items from a total of four establishments over the past five months.

Charles Cutajar, 42, of Marsascala and Malcolm Brian Mercieca, 20, of Kalkara were both charged with stealing cash and mobile phones during a hold-up at Terranova in Pietà, holding people against their will and being in possession of a firearm on August 30, 2005.

They were also charged with stealing cash from Pisani Electrical Supplies, in Valletta and causing over Lm50 damage to the shop on August 28 and with relapsing.

Mr Cutajar was also charged with involvement in stealing cash from Dr Zarb Clinic, holding Christopher Zarb against his will and with being in possession of an unlicensed firearm last Wednesday.

He was also charged with complicity in stealing cash from Federico Vella at the Blata l-Bajda Pharmacy last September 3.

Mr Mercieca was charged with complicity in an attempted robbery from St Anne's Pharmacy, in Marsascala on September 3, with breaking into three cars and with committing the crimes during the operative period of a suspended jail term.

The two men pleaded not guilty to all charges and were remanded in police custody.

Police Inspectors Silvio Valletta and Ramon Cassar prosecuted.

Lawyer Patrick Valentino appeared for Mr Cutajar and lawyers Roberto Montalto and José Herrera appeared for Mr Mercieca.