Two prison inmates yesterday denied taking part in a hold-up on the Fexco exchange bureau two years ago in Paceville, during which shots were fired and some €20,000 were taken.

Aaron Cassar, 32 and Joseph Grech, 49, who are currently serving time for other crimes, pleaded not guilty to 13 charges related to the robbery, which took place on August 8, 2010 at around 9am.

The men stand charged with stealing a number of different currencies, holding the clerk against his will, damaging the bulletproof glass of the shop, stealing a car and gun and relapsing.

During the incident, a salesman was tied up after he handed over the cash. Two shots were fired at the shop window to discourage clients from entering.

Some cash was left in the road as the robbers made their getaway in a waiting car, which was found by police in the Swieqi-San Ġwann area soon after the incident.

Paging through the men’s criminal records, Magistrate Carol Peralta yesterday denied them bail because of the concern they might leave the country or possibly tamper with the evidence.

This is the second arraignment in connection with the same incident, the first having been made two days after the crime – Keith Galea, 32, of Sta Venera, had denied his involvement.