Pickpocket suspected of €7,000 haul arrested at airport
41-year-old suspect believed to be behind at least 20 thefts
Updated 1.30pm with arraignment details
A 41-year-old woman suspected of being part of an international pickpocketing ring was charged with theft and money laundering on Saturday.
Claudia Petronella Ciubotariu, who is from Romania, is believed to have targeted people in Valletta, Mdina and St Paul’s Bay between June 8 and 23, stealing their wallets and purses.
In all, she is suspected of having stolen around €7,000 in cash.
Police said they identified the suspect following a lengthy and in-depth investigation. She was arrested on Thursday at the airport as she sought to leave Malta.
Ciubotariu was arraigned in court on Saturday morning and pleaded not guilty to multiple counts of theft as well as money laundering.
Prosecuting Inspector Shawn Pawney told the court that they believe the accused worked in tandem with an accomplice who is suspected of having left Malta.
The two allegedly also tried to withdraw cash from cards inside wallets they stole, the inspector said.
Defence lawyers said they would not request bail at this stage but intended to do so at a later date. The court remanded the accused in custody.
The prosecution is being led by Attorney General lawyer Andreas Vella and prosecuting Inspectors Shawn Pawney, Sarah Magri and Daryl Borg.
Ciubotariu was represented in court by lawyers Franco Debono, Marion Camilleri and Adreana Zammit.