Updated | Botched robbery leads to knife attack in Naxxar apartment

A botched robbery in a Naxxar apartment erupted into a knife attack on Wednesday afternoon, with one man hospitalised and another arrested at the Floriana police headquarters.

According to police, a 26-year-old man from Serbia had entered the apartment with a knife and firearm. However, a 42-year-old Dutch man and 29-year-old French woman were inside the apartment at the time. 

Allegedly, the 26-year-old tied the two up and asked them to give him money and other items. He was threatening them with his firearm and is alleged to have hit the Dutch man with his knife.

After stealing some money and other objects, the Serbian man fled the scene. 

A medical team took the two victims to Mater Dei Hospital. The man suffered light injuries while the woman was treated for shock. 

Meanwhile, police began a search operation to find the aggressor. While passing through Triq San Pawl, police saw a man that fit the description of the aggressor. 

As police approached him, the man appeared to hide a bag near a parapet. When police searched the man, they searched his bag and found a firearm and other objects. 

Police also found the aggressor's car, which was parked in Triq il-Parroċċa without registration plates. Inside the car was a knife and other objects.

Magistrate Rachel Montebello was notified of the case and opened an inquiry.