Two men were jailed for two years each yesterday after stealing car stereos from no fewer than 12 cars, seven of which were targeted in one night.

Kurt Grima, 24, was accompanied by his 44-year-old partner in crime, Mario Farrugia, when he carried out the thefts between May and June this year. They were caught after the police received an anonymous phone call at about 3 a.m. last Thursday about two men seen acting suspiciously in Rabat.

When the police patrolled the area, they spotted the men, who were caught carrying an amplifier.

The men admitted they had stolen the amplifier from a car and subsequently gave the full details about the other cars they had stolen from, Police Inspector Anthony Portelli said during the arraignment yesterday.

Besides stereo equipment, the two also took other items including a BlackBerry phone, a camera and a handbag. Mr Grima admitted to stealing from 12 cars while Mr Farrugia admitted to stealing from seven of them.

Magistrate Consuelo Scerri Herrera jailed both for two years. She warned Mr Farrugia, who already has 36 convictions, that if he appears before her again she will jail him for much longer.

Lawyer Mark Busuttil appeared for the accused.

Police Inspectors Spiridione Zammit and Robert Vella also prosecuted.