Romanians charged with stealing 17 mobile phones

Two Romanian men were today afternoon remanded in custody after being charged with stealing 17 mobile phones and a tablet from Sliema and St Julian's.

Cezar Mihalache, 53, and Ionel Mihailovici, 58, pleaded not guilty to stealing the mobile phones and the tablet from various parts of Malta, and were also charged with committing other thefts between July 4 and 24. Mihailovici was also charged with another count of theft, in Sliema, and relapsing.

A fellow Romanian – Ana Iancu, a 52-year-old woman – admitted to stealing the mobile phones and to handling stolen property, and was handed an 18 month jail term suspended for two years

Sources close to the investigation said the police were tipped that the pickpockets were targeting bus passengers and investigations led them to a house in Sliema. Inside police discovered the stolen mobile phones. The phones were wrapped and were allegedly ready to be sent overseas.

Police Inspectors Jonathan Ransely and Jason Sultana prosecuted while Magistrate Claire Louise Stafrace presided.