Three hooded men, one of them brandishing a shotgun, stole an undisclosed amount of valuables yesterday from the Solid Gold jewellery outlet in Buġibba.

The armed robbery took place at about 5 p.m. when the men, all wearing balaclavas, stormed into the shop in Ħalel Street and demanded cash and jewellery.

The police said the salesgirl inside the shop did offer any resistance and, after grabbing a number of items, the robbers fled on foot with the police promptly launching a search in the seaside town. Police sources said investigators had still to determine whether a getaway car was used.

This was the third hold-up this week after two Birkirkara shops were robbed on Tuesday and Wednesday in the evening.