Inspector warns of ‘explosion’ in pickpocketing as two Romanians are arraigned

Two Romanians remanded in custody after being charged with stealing from a woman

The police have received several reports of unsuspecting victims falling prey to the tactics of pickpockets
The police have received several reports of unsuspecting victims falling prey to the tactics of pickpockets

Two Romanians who were arrested following several reports of pickpocketing were today remanded in custody after being charged with stealing from a woman.

The accused, Tita Budescu, 66, and Danciu Vasile, 37, both of Romania, were arraigned under arrest today before Magistrate Chairmaine Galea and charged with stealing from a woman at the Qormi flea market yesterday.

Vasile was also charged with relapsing.

Prosecuting inspector Roderick Agius was quoted as telling the court that pickpocketing in Malta had exploded, and that during the past three weeks, the police received several reports of unsuspecting victims falling prey to the tactics of pickpockets.

The inspector also said that it was increasingly difficult to keep track of suspected pickpockets, such as the accused, as they are constantly roaming from one place to another and have no fixed address. Consequently, he said, the accused should not be granted bail as they could abscond.

The inspector’s request was upheld by Magistrate Charmaine Galea who ordered that the accused be remanded in custody.