Car dealer charged over theft of €1 million worth of luxury cars
Audi, Bentley and Rolls-Royce allegedly stolen and later found outside car showroom and in a field
A 42-year-old car dealer was arraigned in court charged with stealing three luxury cars worth a total of €1,000,000.
Adrian Muscat (known as Galletta) was accused of money laundering and stealing an Audi S7, a Bentley Continental and a Rolls Royce Ghost earlier this month.
Police inspector Shawn Pawney explained that a Rolls-Royce had been reported stolen from a hotel in St Julian’s, and that an Audi S7 and a Bentley Continental were also taken. An investigation was launched.
The police found one of the stolen vehicles outside the man’s showroom, and two other vehicles in a field.
The police tried to contact Muscat but did not manage to get through to him. He then went to the Police Headquarters on Thursday and was arrested.
The defence unsuccessfully tried to contest the validity of the arrest arguing that the man had voluntarily gone to the Police Headquarters and the duty magistrate should have been informed immediately. The prosecution countered that there was an arrest warrant against him and therefore they had a six-hour period to inform the magistrate.
The court rejected the defence’s arguments and declared the arrest valid.
After Muscat pleaded not guilty, defence lawyer Franco Debono requested bail.
The defence argued that Muscat, who declared himself as being self-employed, released a detailed statement and had denied any intention to steal the cars. He suggested that Muscat towed the cars away for safekeeping and not to steal them from their rightful owners.
Debono also underlined that when the vehicles had been recovered by the police, the accused had not been present. He added that Muscat is a family man who has a business.
There was also an inquiry underway and the evidence had been preserved.
Defence lawyer Matthew Xuereb highlighted that the incident is caught on video, and that one of the owners is dead so there was no fear he would tamper with the evidence. Another owner is an acquaintance of the accused.
Pawney countered that the testimonies of the civilian witnesses have not been gathered. Prosecutor Luigi Gulia countered that there are three victims: one who died suddenly, and two others who filed a report. He highlighted that the three cars are worth some €1,000,000. It also transpired that there are further investigations that are still ongoing and the man already tried to contact the alleged victims.
Debono insisted that the alleged crime took place in daylight, and Muscat allegedly took a tow truck, loaded the cars and transported them away. “All of this is on the CCTV footage,” Debono said.
After hearing the submissions, the court granted the man bail against a €40,000 deposit and a €80,000 personal guarantee. He was ordered to sign the bail book daily and a curfew was also imposed.
The court warned him against approaching the prosecution’s witness.
A freezing order of €1,000,000 was imposed on his assets.
Magistrate Ingrid Bianco presided.
AG lawyer Luigi Gulia prosecuted, alongside police inspector Shawn Pawney.
Lawyers Franco Debono and Matthew Xuereb appeared for the accused.