The four thieves who made off with a considerable amount of gold and silver stolen from a jewellery shop in Victoria on Wednesday, crossed over to Comino after the theft, police investigations have revealed.

Sources said the two men and two women, probably Eastern Europeans, arrived at the Gozo Channel terminal but seemed reluctant to wait for the next ferry, which was due to leave 40 minutes later. Instead, they caught the ferry to Comino and then another boat to Ċirkewwa.

The theft took place at around 9.40am on Wednesday.

One of the couples could be seen distracting the shop assistant, who was showing them jewellery in the showcase, while the other two were helping themselves to jewellery from the safe and other showcases. One of the men is seen twice stealing items from the showcase.

As the police continue their investigations into the theft of an estimated €12,000 worth of jewellery, Paul Farrugia, the owner of Tresor D’Or in Palm Street, Victoria, has offered a €1,000 reward to whoever might lead to an arrest.

Sources close to the investigation told The Sunday Times of Malta that the thieves were “professionals” who planned the theft in detail.

Meanwhile, investigators in Gozo are still at a loss regardng the motive and the culprits behind the murder of Danish tourist found dead in a valley on July 26. An autopsy has confirmed that Vera Holm, 72, was strangled.

Her body was discovered naked and face down in a pool of water by a man walking his dog. She suffered a blow to her head, bruises to her chest and a broken rib.

Ms Holm had been on holiday in Marsalforn with her family, who reported her missing three days before she was found dead.