Technician arraigned over IT equipment theft

A computer technician who was plucked from the bushes at Baħar iċ-Ċagħaq on Monday was yesterday charged with stealing about €10,000 worth of equipment.

The 39-year-old Libyan national, Ahmed Gosibat, broke through two doors of Cyberpass technology company and stole laptops, computers, cameras and audio equipment, Police Inspector Anthony Portelli said.

He said the accused had effectively put eight people out of work as they could not operate because all their servers and computers were gone. Police on the beat on Monday had noticed the accused in a parked car looking very suspicious and when he realised he was being watched he got out of the car and started running.

The officers could see laptops, computers, cameras and audio equipment in the car and gave chase. They fired a warning shot in the air when he refused to stop and then found him hidden in some bushes, the police said.

Mr Gosibat pleaded not guilty to breaking in the premises, stealing from the office and disobeying police orders. Magistrate Lawrence Quintano granted him bail against a personal guarantee of €2,500 and a deposit of €500.