A Serb who in 2013 worked in Malta as an assistant football coach was yesterday charged with stealing more than €1,200 worth of cigarettes and an undisclosed amount of alcohol from a Qawra kiosk.

Dejan Patkovic, 33, was arrested during a roadblock in Swieqi when he was allegedly caught in possession of tear gas canisters. The police also found that his BMW, which had Bulgarian registration plates, was not covered by insurance.

Investigations led the police to a possible link with two thefts.

Apart from the theft from the Qawra kiosk, from where cash had also been stolen, Mr Patkovic was also charged with stealing various items from an apartment in St Julian’s on the night of October 26, 2013.

He shrugged his shoulders in court

Appearing before Magistrate Marseann Farrugia, Mr Patkovic shrugged his shoulders when asked how he was pleading to the charges.

However, he later said he was guilty of some of the charges but not of others. After being given some time, he decided to plead not guilty to all charges.

The court denied his request for bail and he was remanded in custody.

Police Inspectors James Grech and Carol Fabri prosecuted. Lawyer Joseph Mizzi was defence counsel.

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