Valletta pickpocket charged, but accomplice still on the run

A woman charged with complicity with pickpocketing has been remanded in custody, while her accomplice remains at large

Inspector Daryl Borg objected to the request for bail, arguing that the accused had no fixed address in Malta and had no ties to the island
Inspector Daryl Borg objected to the request for bail, arguing that the accused had no fixed address in Malta and had no ties to the island

A court has remanded in custody a Bulgarian woman who appeared before it this afternoon, charged with complicity in two pickpocketing thefts.

26-year-old Elenka Staneva was arraigned under arrest before magistrate Francesco Depasquale, charged with complicity in stealing an elderly woman's wallet at an upmarket clothing store in Valletta.

Both crimes took place on 24 October, between midday and 2:00pm. At least one pickpocketing incident is believed to have been captured on CCTV. Staneva was also filmed using the victim's bank card to withdraw €350 from an ATM. The wallet is understood to have contained €80 in cash.

She was also charged with stealing another wallet containing £60 from another, nearby, fashion outlet.

A miserable-looking Staneva, who told the court that she works as a housemaid and babysitter in Bulgaria, pleaded not guilty to the charges.

Lawyer Martin Fenech, appointed as legal aid to the accused, requested bail.

Inspector Daryl Borg objected to this request however, arguing that the accused had no fixed address in Malta and had no ties to the island.

Magistrate Francesco Depasquale turned down bail request. Staneva was remanded in custody.

Her accomplice remains at large.