Two charged with trying to steal classic vehicle
On walking into his garage the owner found one of the thieves sitting in his €35,000 American classic car.
Two men caught red handed trying to steal an American classic car from a garage underlying the owner's house in Fgura were yesterday given suspended jail terms.
Jesmond Portelli and Michael Micallef broke into the garage just before 9 a.m. on November 16. The owner heard noises coming from the garage and went to investigate.
On walking into the garage, connected to the house, Terrence Delia found Mr Micallef sitting in his €35,000 Plymouth Baracuda, a muscle car similar in shape to the one from the American TV series The Dukes of Hazzard. Mr Portelli was waiting outside in a getaway car. It all happened in a short while and the two fled when they saw Mr Delia. They were caught shortly after.
Magistrate Anthony Vella pointed out when handing down judgment that by law the two could be jailed for between nine months and five years for attempted theft.
However, given that their police records are almost clean, the punishment should serve both as a lesson and a deterrent. While noting that the crime is a serious one, the court decided to impose a one-year jail term suspended for three years.
Police Inspector Jesmond Borg prosecuted.
Lawyer Roberto Montalto appeared for Mr Portelli and lawyer Gianella Busuttil appeared for Mr Micallef.