Failed heist suspects likely to be arraigned

Arraignments in connection with Wednesday's attempted robbery from a vault at HSBC Bank's headquarters in Qormi were expected this week, sources said.

It is not yet clear how many of the four men investigated by the police in connection with the foiled robbery will be arraigned as investigators await the results of forensic tests to make their case watertight against the suspects.

The robbery ended in a shootout between the thieves and the police and two officers involved are expected to be rewarded for their bravery, the sources said.

One of the suspects is under police surveillance at Mater Dei Hospital recovering from bullet wounds to the jaw and leg. He is expected to be arraigned once he recovers.

The other three, one of whom suffered a slight gunshot graze, have been granted police bail after their 48-hours of legal arrest expired, the sources said.

The wounds sustained by the suspect now in hospital forced him out of hiding to seek medical assistance at a private clinic. He was subsequently arrested and taken to Mater Dei, where he was operated upon.

The men under investigation, all Maltese, had already been questioned as prime suspects in connection with other robberies, including from HSBC's branch in Balzan and the Casino di Venezia in Vittoriosa, the sources said. Now that more evidence has surfaced, they are also being investigated in connection with a failed attempt on a security van transporting money in Sta Venera in January.

The sources said the suspects had previous convictions for similar though less serious crimes.

The attempted hold-up took place on Wednesday evening when three men walked into the HSBC building wearing wigs and fake moustaches. They entered using an electronic code known only to employees from a side door and, once inside, assaulted a police officer from the Special Assignments Group, removed his pistol and tied him and two employees in the control room.

At about 7.30 p.m., the police were informed about suspicious activity near the bank and a patrol car was sent to the area. When it got there, a car parked outside the bank sped off and the officers gave chase.

The three men were still inside until someone in the building called for help. As the police officers returned, the robbers made a dash for it and a shootout erupted. A getaway car, different from the first, turned and sped off with the robbers on board amid the shooting. The police shot at the vehicle but failed to stop it.