Man robbed in 'cat under the car' trick

Two men dressed up as women stole about Lm7,000 from a 65-year old man on holiday from Australia, the court heard yesterday.

Carmelo Gialanzè said that on May 21 he had called at his niece to collect several envelopes containing about Lm7,000. She had exchanged the money he got with him from Australia.

He was testifying in the case against Natal Bonello, 29, of Gzira and Richard (known as Racquele) Spiteri, 33, of Sliema, who stand charged with theft.

Gialanzè said he stopped at the Blue Star shop in Mrabat Street to buy some cigarettes and he took the money with him. He then returned to his car and recalled placing the envelopes and the cigarettes on the passenger seat. As he was about to start his car, a "woman" went up to him and told him to be careful as there was a cat under the car.

He went out of the car and saw nothing but moments later he bumped into another "woman" holding a cat. As soon as he went into the car he realised that the money had disappeared.

So he went into the bar asking if anyone knew the two "women" to be told that they were not women but men. He was given their names and told where to look for them. But rather than going to look for them himself he went to the Sliema police station.

Gialanzè identified the "woman" who was holding the cat in court.

The case continues.

Dr Franco Debono appeared for the accused.

Police Inspector Angelo Caruana prosecuted.