Two hooded men stole about €8,000 in cash when they held up a businessman in Marsa on Monday night, the police said yesterday.

The men brandished an object that "looked like a firearm" and told the 45-year-old man to hand over all the money he had in his possession, the police said.

This occurred just after the businessman closed his shop and was in his car in Racecourse Street.

The man, who lives in Pietà, handed over the cash, which the police said did not exceed €8,000.

No one was injured in the incident.

Magistrate Anthony Vella launched an inquiry.