Kurt Bugeja Coster
Lotto receiver slightly injured in hold-up
The scene at yesterday's shooting in Triq il-Qaqoċċ, Żabbar. Photo: Matthew Mirabelli
A lotto receiver sustained gunshot wounds to the legs when he was held up outside his residence in Żabbar yesterday morning.
George Vella was leaving his house in Triq Il-Qaqoċċ when an armed and hooded man forced him to hand over a bag he was carrying.
The police said that, for reasons as yet unknown, the robber fired multiple shots in the direction of the 54-year-old before fleeing with the bag.
Sources said the man was slightly injured in the legs from shotgun pellets and eyewitnesses said the windows of a car parked opposite the house were shattered by the shots. Residents said the lotto receiver was on his way to his lotto booth in Żabbar and was carrying his cash float in a bag.
The police said the amount stolen still has to be established.
In March 2001, three men were charged with attempting to break into Mr Vella's lotto booth.
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Mary Agius
Sep 6th 2008, 08:47
What support is Maltco giving these victims? What human interest are they taking in them? They control their sales and continually ask them to do more but what are they doing insituations like this? I know for a fact that nobody from top management at Maltco take the interest of at least calling them to see how they are feeling, let alone offer them help
m farrugia
Sep 5th 2008, 17:44
Do we realise that the job of a lotto receiver is becoming probably the most hazardous job. A hold up takes place almost once a week. Who is responsible for the safety of lotto receivers, who are probably self employed. If Maltco is making money out of these boots, probably Maltco should be held responsible. What about promoting the use of cards instead of cash to avoid build up of cash.
L Debono
Sep 5th 2008, 15:14
I see this crime as a very aggravated robbery with the intent to kill or seriously hurt the victim. It is very unfortunate for those who are earning a living by dealing with hard currency that they have to keep looking over their shoulder. The seriousness of this crime reaches a very concerning level since the burglars opened fire at the victim and putting his life in danger.
Yesterday I motioned handgun permits and some disagreed and they demonstrated that
1 - Their life was never in danger.
2 - That they have no experience in this matter.
When one packs, it is solely for the preservation of his / her own life (ONLY). A candidate for a handgun permit should have thorough background checks, weeks of training, participation in different stressful courses and probationary periods. Education and preparation will produce a certain degree of results. It is a fundamental right that any human being with clear and certain danger of losing his /her life, should be able to defend him/her self. This is a very serious matter because a life was in serous danger more than once.