Two arraigned over theft

Two young men were given a suspended sentence and a third released on bail after being charged with stealing appliances from a warehouse.

Police Superintendent Carmelo Bartolo and Inspector Fabian Fleri said that, although the theft had been committed earlier this year, Ryan Camenzuli, 25, Mark Bongailas, 20, and Victor Degabriele, 26, were only arrested this week.

They were arraigned yesterday morning and charged with stealing appliances worth about €2,300 from a warehouse in St Helen Street, Cospicua Mr Degabriele was also accused of breaching two suspended sentences and breaking probation conditions imposed on him over the past three years for theft.

The prosecution told the court that the robbers were taking appliances and stashing them elsewhere to collect them later. The robbery, however, was foiled by the police, who had been informed of it, causing the suspects to flee.

Mr Camenzuli and Mr Bongailas admitted to the charges and were given a two-year jail term suspended for three by Magistrate Claire Stafrace Zammit.

Mr Degabriele pleaded not guilty.

A request for bail by defence counsel Ian Farrugia was upheld by the magistrate despite the prosecution's objection on grounds that he was not trustworthy. He was ordered to make a deposit of €750 and a personal guarantee of €8,000.

Lawyers Ludvic Caruana and Mark Mifsud Cutajar represented Mr Camenzuli and Mr Bongailas respectively.