Teenagers charged with multiple car thefts, damaging police car, denied bail

Two teenagers charged with multiple car thefts, breaking into other vehicles, stealing registration plates and damaging a police car have been denied bail. The boys, aged 14 and 15, were arrested on Sunday afternoon after being spotted by Rapid Intervention Unit officers on patrol in Żebbuġ. It transpired that the car they were in - an Isuzu Gemini - had been reported stolen in Birkirkara.  The 14-year-old, who was behind the wheel, tried to drive away from the officers. The car suddenly stopped and the teenagers fled the scene on foot, however, they were arrested soon after. Further investigations linked the duo to a series of other car thefts as well as an armed robbery at a Birkirkara public garden earlier this month.  Both were charged with the aggravated thefts of the Isuzu vehicle, a Nissan Micra from St Paul’s Bay, a BMW from Marsascala, various car registration plates, a Toyota from Marsascala and a Skoda from Żebbuġ. They were also charged with driving without a licence and insurance cover. The 14-year old was separately charged with stealing a Suzuki Samurai at Naxxar in August and with carrying out the armed robbery, making off with a man’s Samsung phone. The other...