Man charged with theft saved by rehabilitation programme

A man’s enrollment at a residential drug rehabilitation programme proved the timely factor which saved him from being remanded in custody over theft-related charges.

Keith Pace, a 38-year-old car dealer from Marsa, was granted bail after pleading not guilty to two separate instances of aggravated theft dating back to December and January totaling some €120,000 worth of jewellery, antiques, gold coins and other valuables.

Prosecuting inspectors Shawn Pawney and Godwin Scerri explained how investigations had sparked off from a report back in December over an alleged burglary from the Mosta home of a 70-year-old lady who claimed that some €100,000 worth of valuables, including 400 gold coins, had been taken.

The second theft took place from a Santa Venera residence where a further €20,000 worth of items were taken.

As investigations continued, police received information last week which placed them on the trace of the suspect inside whose home a number of the stolen antiques were allegedly discovered, but not before some of the valuables were destroyed by the man in the course of the arrest.

Subsequent phone localisation data further confirmed police suspicions linking the man to...