A man has been arrested after being chased and detained by scuba divers who caught him attempting to steal equipment from their van at a dive site in Gozo.
The incident took place on Sunday, 30 August, while the group was visiting Cathedral Cave at Wied il-Għasri on Gozo’s north coast.
According to local court reporting, a Polish diver saw a man reach through an open window of the group’s van and remove a basket from inside.
The divers shouted at the man, who attempted to flee before the group caught and detained him. They then called the police, directing officers to their location in the Xwejni area near Marsalforn.
The man was identified as Robert Farrugia, 56, from Żurrieq on the neighbouring island of Malta, and taken into custody.
Farrugia appeared before Magistrate Jean Paul Grech at the Gozo Magistrates’ Court the following day, where he admitted attempted theft.
He also admitted possessing keys or other tools suitable for opening or forcing locks after having previously been convicted of theft or handling stolen property, and possessing a knife without the necessary licence or permission.
The court took Farrugia’s early admission into consideration but noted his criminal record, which included previous convictions for theft.
He was found guilty of all the charges and sentenced to eight months’ imprisonment, suspended for four years, and fined €116.47.
Following the arrest, the Gozo Tourism Association (GTA) renewed its call for CCTV cameras to be installed at major dive sites around the island.
A GTA spokesperson said, ‘What was expected to be a routine Sunday dive at Cathedral Cave at Wied il-Ghasri turned into the arrest of a suspected serial offender believed to have been targeting divers’ vehicles at various coastal locations in Gozo.’
GTA went on to praise the divers, and called for increased security measures, especially at Gozo’s more remote coastal sites.
‘[The divers’] vigilance and civic-minded actions contributed to the successful intervention,’ said the spokesperson. ‘Their actions demonstrate the strong sense of community that exists within Gozo’s diving sector and helped prevent further losses to visitors and local divers alike.
‘Enhancing security infrastructure at dive sites would further strengthen the island’s appeal and reinforce its reputation as a safe and welcoming destination for diving enthusiasts from around the world.’
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