Gang member jailed for four years for theft

A gang member arrested in the summer of 2018 over a spate of thefts from residences has landed a four-year jail term for participating in two of the robberies. 

Elguja Bzikadze, a 32-year-old Georgian national, had told police that he had travelled to Malta in mid-August, on a one-way ticket, in search of a job. He opted to live in a leased vehicle rather than book a room at some hotel. 

Following a tip-off about a suspected robbery at a Balzan home on August 29, the police had kicked off investigations which eventually put them on the tracks of the suspected thieves.

A number of Georgian nationals were eventually found living in two apartments at St Paul’s Bay. 

That was where police came across bags of gold necklaces, rings, watches and old coins, reported stolen in 14 separate thefts, some of which were identified by the owners when shown photographs taken by forensic experts. 

In those apartments, investigators had also found the accused’s bag and belongings, including his documents and a return flight ticket. 

The man was charged with participating in organised crime, receiving stolen property and four thefts over an 11-day span, targeting residences in Balzan, Mosta and...