Five arraigned on vandalism charges

Five men, including two teenagers, were yesterday arraigned on a number of vandalism charges.

Inspectors Stephen Mallia and Yvette Farrugia charged Ronald Mangion, 22, of Luqa, John Bartoli, 21, of Birkirkara, Charles Mizzi, 18 , of Luqa, and two youths aged 15 and 16, both from Luqa, with having caused over Lm500 worth of damage to the Hal Millieri chapel, in the limits of Zurrieq, to the detriment of Din l-Art Helwa.

All five accused were charged with having set fire to a motorbike and with causing over Lm50 damages to Clyde Muscat and Paul Mangion. They were also charged with having caused over Lm500 in damage to bus shelters, telephone boxes, flower boxes and skips to the detriment of the local councils of Luqa, Sta Lucija, Zurrieq, Ghaxaq, Kirkop, Safi and Qrendi.

The police also charged all five with damaging property belonging to Airport Service Station, to Charvin Press, John Mary Cachia, and Guzi Garage and with being in receipt of stolen goods.

Mizzi, Mangion and the two youths were further charged with driving a motorbike without a licence or insurance, while Mizzi, Mangion, Bartoli and the 15-year-old were charged with unlawful possession of cannabis resin.

Mangion and the 15-year-old were also charged with causing damage to a Peugeot car and with unlawful possession of an air gun.

Mangion and Bartoli were charged with unlawful use of a motor vehicle.

Mizzi was charged with trafficking in cannabis while Bartoli was charged with unlawful possession of ecstasy and with living off the earnings of prostitution.