Foreign couple arrested after string of thefts in Gozo

The arrest of a foreign couple by the Gozitan Police following an attempted theft has led to the solving of a total of seven robberies, some attempted, in the past days in Victoria and Għajnsielem.

The couple, a Belgian man, 37, and Italian woman, 21, were arrested shortly after they broke into a shop yesterday, 5 January, at about 3:30pm in Triq Taħt Putirjal, Victoria, and came face-to-face with its owner.

The pair ran off, with the shop owner in hot pursuit. An on-duty traffic policeman was informed of the crime and called for back-up while giving chase. Although the woman managed to get away, the man was arrested at a disused factory.

The woman was eventually identified and arrested today following further investigation.

The couple's arrest has also led to the solving of three thefts and two attempted thefts from shops on the 4th and 5th January in Victoria, and two robberies last month in Għajnsielem.

The couple are expected to be arraigned in the coming days.