Two Italians were yesterday charged with armed robbery and grievous bodily harm.

Damiano Rannisi Torrisi, 37, and Alessandro Gondolfo, 35, both of Catania, were remanded in custody after pleading not guilty to staging a hold-up on a shoe store in Rabat on Friday afternoon.

The two men, who live in separate Qawra apartments, are accused of stealing about €2,000 from the outlet. They were also charged with causing grievous injuries to Joseph Pulo, 66, who owns the store, situated in College Street.

Mr Pulo suffered lacerations to his hands and a broken finger, with police sources saying he had struggled with the thieves.

He was taken to hospital after the hold-up and discharged after receiving treatment.

Magistrate Consuelo Scerri Herrera was informed that Mr Gondolfo was unemployed and Mr Rannisi Torrisi owned three “supermarkets” on the island.

To come up here to rob a shoe shop… it just makes you think, where in Malta remains safe?

Mr Rannisi Torrisi was also charged with driving the getaway vehicle without a licence. Mr Gondolfo was allegedly found in possession of cannabis when he was arrested. The two men were also charged with being in possession of weapons without police permits, being hooded in public and holding Mr Pulo against his will.

The police sources said the two had been apprehended after police viewed CCTV footage from the shop and other establishments and on the basis of eyewitness accounts.

The sources said the police were in possession of “damning forensic evidence”.

The incident has shocked the Rabat community, with some residents and business owners raising concerns that crime was rearing its head in what is a usually quiet area.

“To come up here to rob a shoe shop… it just makes you think, where in Malta remains safe?” Rabat resident and business owner Maria Cachia said.