LA VALLETTA (MALTA) (ITALPRESS/MNA) – A 34-year-old Romanian man, Iulian Dinca, has been extradited from Italy and charged in connection with a high-value mobile phone theft ring that targeted multiple retail outlets in Malta.
Dinca, who identified himself as a mechanic by trade, appeared in court after being arrested in Rome under a European Arrest Warrant. He is accused of participating in a series of break-ins during the summer of 2023, which resulted in the theft of mobile phones valued at approximately €180,000.
The thefts took place in retail stores located in Birkirkara and Qormi. According to the prosecution, the perpetrators forcibly breached the shops’ entrances and emptied entire shelves of mobile phones within seconds. Dinca pleaded not guilty to the charges.
However, his defense did not request bail, and he was remanded in custody. Police investigations had been ongoing for several months and led authorities to believe the thefts were carried out by an organized group of Romanian nationals. Dinca’s arrest follows the earlier capture of a 27-year-old Romanian man in January, who was extradited from Romania to Malta and is also currently being held under arrest.
– Photo IPA Agency –
(ITALPRESS)
