Two men yesterday admitted to burgling a house in Paola on Sunday, after they were caught by the police in their car at Luqa a few minutes after the crime.

Maurizio Zahra, 31, and Johan Pace, 34, both of Valletta, stole jewellery from 86-year-old Lorenza and her 78-year-old sister Tereza Cilia at around 8 a.m.

The women were not at home at the time of the break-in.

On Sunday, the police reported they had spotted a suspicious car speed off from the scene of the crime. They followed and arrested the two men in Luqa.

The men also pleaded guilty to handling stolen property, carrying a weapon and carrying a gun without a licence.

Mr Pace alone pleaded guilty to breaching the conditions of a previous release and re­lapsing.

They were remanded in custody pending sentencing.

The Labour party yesterday congratulated the two police officers involved in the arrest, saying such incidents raised the people’s respect and confidence in the police force.

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