Attempted robbery in Rabat

Earlier this afternoon, at around 2.30pm the police were tipped off about three suspicious-looking men loitering around the Verdala Mansions in Rabat. The District Police, led by WPS Graziella Camilleri, and units from the Rapid Intervention Unit led by PS Juan Mula Debono, were called in, and then surrounded the place.

Upon arrival the police were informed that three men were seen entering what used to be The Verdala Hotel. While the District Police entered the site, their colleagues from the RIU kept on the look out and cornered off the area.

After a few minutes, one of the men appeared on the scene and approached a pick-up van, but he was stopped by the police. A thorough search in the area for the other two suspects resulted in negative results. The Police found pieces of iron lying around, which the three men were allegedly going to steal, but they abandoned everything when they saw the police were very close.

While the man was held by the District Police, the RIU kept on patrolling the area for the other two who managed to escape.

Less then half an hour later another suspect was apprehended by the RIU Police near Saqqajja in Rabat and taken to Rabat Police Station. The third went by himself to the same Police Station.

The three men, all from Tarxien, are being interrogated by Inspector Robert Vella.