Policeman accused of helping thieves during his night watch

A police officer was yesterday charged with complicity in the theft of seven air-conditioning units from the former Naxxar Trade Fair grounds, which he was assigned to guard.

The police constable, 35-year-old Anthony Robert Ebejer from Naxxar, was called in for questioning after seven air-conditioning units worth less than €2,300 were noticed missing during his shift.

He pleaded not guilty.

In his defence, lawyer Joe Giglio said the officer was the one to find the stolen goods when he called the culprits via telephone and told them that if they had taken the air-conditioners, they should return them to the Naxxar complex immediately.

However, Police Inspector Michael Mallia said the phonecall was just a charade as he would prove during the proceedings. "Let's not pretend that he did not know what was going on. It's true he helped return the air-conditioners but he knew what was going on," the inspector told the court yesterday.

The policeman was assigned to guard the Naxxar complex, which now serves as a counting hall during elections. He allegedly let in two men to help themselves to the air-conditioners during his night shift on Tuesday. His alleged accomplices, Duncan Vella, 35, from San Gwann and 21-year-old Clayton Muscat from Pietà, also pleaded not guilty.

Magistrate Joseph Appap Bologna granted all of them bail against a personal guarantee of €1,000. In the case of the police officer, he also imposed a deposit of €500.