A 31-year-old Lyneham man will spend Christmas in jail on remand after it was alleged he assaulted a woman in the Braddon Australia Post on Friday afternoon and stole a set of $400 Apple airpods.
Appearing before ACT Magistrate James Stewart, Robert Hewitt is alleged to have entered the post office around 12.50pm on Friday where he was seen to place an item in his jumper and attempt to leave.
The offender was confronted and asked to empty his pockets. He complied, but did not produce the allegedly stolen goods.
However, he then became increasingly agitated and attempted to leave.
The female owner of the store locked the front door and then clung onto the offender as he became increasingly aggressive, attempting to shove her away as he tried to unlock the door.
Several people joined in an attempt to restrain him but the offender violently kicked out with his legs and fled the store, dropping a white box containing the airpods on his way out.
Police were called and after a short search located the offender in a laneway a short distance away. The offender refused to give a statement to police.
In the tendered statement of facts, police were able to view CCTV footage of the incident inside the store which showed the offender using two hands to force open a cabinet door and placing an item inside his jumper.
It also showed the physical altercation which followed as he attempted to flee the store.
The public prosecutor said the female victim "worried the violence may escalate" should bail be granted.
Magistrate Stewart said Hewitt had a "long history" of breaching bail conditions and identified a real risk of him not appearing should he be granted bail.
Hewitt was remanded in custody and will appear again on January 12.
