Police spot locked safe in van

Two hooded thieves fled the scene of the crime empty-handed yesterday morning when a safe with €64,000 in cash and cheques they had just stolen from Qormi was spotted by police officers on patrol.

The botched theft occurred at about 4.30 a.m. when a police mobile squad unit noticed a suspicious-looking van in Tal-Ħandaq industrial area, with the windows open and the keys in the ignition.

The van, parked outside a store, had a locked safe inside, which was later found to contain about €64,000 in cash and cheques.

On approaching the van, the police noted two hooded men coming out of the store. The men immediately turned and fled on foot.

The police gave chase and caught one of them, a 34-year-old from Mqabba.