Forensics experts examine vehicle used in casino hold-up

A Pajero 4x4 vehicle believed to have been used during yesterday's hold-up of Casino' di Venezia in Vittoriosa was lifted out of the sea below Fort St Angelo this morning and forensics experts are conducting initial examinations.

The thieves are believed to have dashed from the casino' to the edge of the quay at Fort St Angelo in the Pajero. They then drove the vehicle into the sea and escaped on a speedboat.

The Pajero is believed to have been stolen. (The vehicle was initially thought to be white because the roof is of a lighter colour than the body)

The police conducted an intensive search for the boat along Malta's coast until late at night but it was not found.

An AFM helicopter helped in the search while a patrol boat conducted searches further offshore.

The spectacular hold-up took place at about 7.15 p.m. when the armed and hooded men surprised the casino staff. They demanded cash and escaped with a haul which the police said was 'considerable.'

Initial reports put the haul at €100,000 but informed sources said it was much bigger.