Jewellery thief is recognised and jailed

One of two men seen on CCTV stealing from Vascas jewellery earlier this week, was jailed for 18 months today after he admitted in court to having stolen items from three jewellery shops. Momita Maricel 25, a Romanian (the man seen in front) was arrested after an alert sales assistant at Hebe Jewellery recognised him from the pictures and called the police. In court, Maricel admitted to stealing €3,600 worth of rings from Solid Gold Jewellery, items worth €1,200 from Classic Gold Jewellery and a ring from Vascas in Mellieha. However the ring was recovered by a salesgirl who chased him out of the jewellery. A man who was with him is still on the run. However the police also arraigned another Romanian, Alan Catalin Stancu, 35, who had accompanied Maricel to Hebe Jewellery. He was found to be in possession of a stolen mobile phone and was accused of handling stolen property and relapsing. He was remanded in custody.