Police told a court that they are not excluding links to organised crime as man from Georgia was remanded in custody after being accused of stealing cash, jewellery and other items worth at least €20,000.
Avtandil Rusia, 37, was arraigned before magistrate Victor Axiaq by Inspectors Mario Xiberras, Shawn Pawney and Leeroy Balzan Engerer, charged with aggravated theft from a number of private residences in Rabat, Attard, Swieqi, San Gwann, Zebbug and Qormi. The alleged crimes, in which cash, jewellery, perfume and whiskey were stolen, took place between October 17 and 29.
Rusia, who works as a driver and who has no fixed address, pleaded not guilty to the charges.
Inspector Mario Xiberras said that police had identified the accused from CCTV footage and confidential information.
A search of the accused’s car and an apartment in St Julians resulted in the discovery of the stolen items. Rusia was arrested yesterday.
Bail was refused, with the case continuing on November 25.
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Earlier – police statement
A man from Georgia was arrested in connection with a string of thefts from residences in Rabat, Attard, Swieqi, San Gwann, Zebbug and Qormi, the police said.
The 37-year-old man was arrested in St Julian’s after weeks of observation. He will be charged in court on Saturday afternoon before Magistrate Victor Axiaq.
The police said that items that had been reported missing were found in the apartment where the man was arrested.
