Man, 20, arrested after smashing car window in Swieqi

A 20-year-old man was arrested after being recorded smashing the rear window of a parked vehicle while walking down a residential street in Swieqi.

Police received a report at around 5:30am that morning and subsequently analysed CCTV footage showing the Romanian national allegedly committing an act of wilful damage on Triq is-Swieqi.

Photos taken after the incident show the car’s rear window completely shattered.

Officers identified the man’s place of residence, but found that he had already left the property.

Police investigations continued throughout the day and eventually led to his arrest at around 5pm.

He will be arraigned in court on Saturday at 11:45am before Magistrate Gabriella Vella.

The incident is far from isolated. MaltaToday recently reported on Swieqi’s 14-year battle with over tourism and the proliferation of short-let apartments, some of which have been found to be operating without a Malta Tourism Authority licence, while wreaking havoc in once-quiet residential neighbourhoods.

The worsening situation has led to the deployment of Armed Forces personnel to the locality to assist police officers carrying out night-time patrols.