Two Romanian Men Guilty of Eight Thefts Across Malta in Six Days
Razvan Aurel Stefan, 44, and Niculae Vasile, 56, pleaded guilty to eight thefts in Gżira, Sliema, Msida and Valletta. Sentencing is set for 1st September.
Eight thefts in six days: two Romanians plead guilty before Court of Magistrates
Two Romanian nationals have admitted to carrying out eight thefts across some of Malta's busiest localities within a single six-day window, Lovin Malta reports, citing coverage by Malta Today.
Razvan Aurel Stefan, 44, and Niculae Vasile, 56, pleaded guilty to all charges when they appeared before the Court of Magistrates. The offences were committed between 15th and 21st August, with victims targeted in Gżira, Sliema, Msida and Valletta. Items stolen included cash, identity documents and other personal belongings.
The series began on the morning of 15th August in Gżira, with a second victim targeted in the same locality that same night. The following morning, the pair took cash, documents and other belongings valued at more than €232 but less than €2,329 from a third victim — a theft aggravated by violence and the number of people involved.
Hours later, another aggravated theft was carried out in Sliema. The charges in that instance cited the value of the stolen goods, violence, the number of perpetrators and the fact that the offence occurred after sunset.
On the night of 17th August, Stefan and Vasile struck at Valletta's bus terminus. A further theft involving cash, identity documents and personal belongings was recorded in Msida on 19th August. The following day, a victim was targeted in Triq it-Torri, Sliema, in an offence again aggravated by both value and violence.
The eighth and final theft listed in the charges took place in Valletta between 11am and 1pm on 21st August.
Stefan faces an additional charge of recidivism, following previous final judgments handed down against him by the Court of Magistrates.
Defence lawyer Lennox Vella represented both accused. The prosecution was led by Inspector Lydon Zammit, assisted by lawyer Clive Aquilina from the Office of the Attorney General. Sentencing has been postponed to 1st September.
Source: Lovin Malta