Couple charged with Kalkara confectionery heist tracked to St Julian’s hotel

Police tracked down two suspected burglars to a St Julian’s hotel room less than 24 hours after a €6,000 confectionery heist in Kalkara, a court heard on Saturday.

Nurton Borg, 30, from Pietà, and Mariana Doris Attard, 35, from Bormla, appeared before Magistrate Jean Paul Grech.

They face charges including aggravated theft, fraud and drug possession. Attard faces separate fraud charges.

The case stems from a report filed late on Thursday, when the owner of a confectionary alerted police to a break-in at his premises in Kalkara.

The perpetrators allegedly forced entry into the shop and made off with approximately €3,000 in cash, along with a similar value in tobacco products.

Prosecutors told the court that CCTV footage captured Borg entering the area by jumping over a parked car, while Attard remained nearby, appearing to act as a lookout. 

The pair were seen leaving shortly afterwards, with Borg carrying a backpack.

No other footage of the alleged theft was found.

On Friday, police officers stationed in Paceville and St Julian’s identified the pair as wanted individuals through the police system.

Acting on information that the suspects were staying in the area, officers conducted searches across several hotels. A receptionist at one hotel confirmed Borg’s presence as a guest.

Police proceeded to the room, where both suspects were found and arrested. 

In the room, items believed to have been stolen during the Kalkara burglary were recovered.

Officers also discovered that both individuals were in possession of cocaine.

Fraud Allegations

Separately, Attard is facing multiple fraud-related charges.

The prosecution alleged that two men had arranged a sexual encounter with Attard through Facebook and had agreed on payment in advance. 

Upon arriving at the location, they were turned away despite having already paid €50 and €150 respectively.

Prosecuting inspector Chantelle Mifsud objected to Borg’s release on bail, citing his extensive criminal record. The court upheld the objection and remanded him in custody.

Attard was granted bail against a €2,500 deposit and a €5,000 personal guarantee.

Inspector Chantelle Mifsud and AG lawyer Celine Fenech prosecuted.

Lawyers Franco Debono and Matthew Xuereb assisted the accused.