A burglary took place at the Loaded Dog Hotel in Tarago this week. Photo: Tenele Conway.
Burglars allegedly tried to steal an ATM from a rural pub before getting into a car chase, crashing their vehicle and ending up in hospital.
When one of these alleged burglars faced Canberra’s court, police took the unusual step of sending officers to surround the facility to prevent his possible escape.
Police had been called to the Loaded Dog Hotel in Tarago, a town between Canberra and Goulburn, over a break and enter early on Wednesday morning (24 June).
“On arrival, police were told two men had arrived in a white station wagon, before they entered the business and wrapped straps around an ATM,” a NSW Police spokesperson said.
“The men allegedly attached the straps to their vehicle, attempted to remove the ATM from the premises without success, before they drove away from the scene.”
The spokesperson said that about two hours later, a 38-year-old man and a 42-year-old man were arrested at the scene of a car crash on Foxes Elbow Road, between Bungendore and Braidwood.
The pair were treated by paramedics and taken to Canberra Hospital under police guard in stable conditions.
The 38-year-old, who is from Canberra, was released from hospital and brought to the ACT Magistrates Court on Thursday (25 June) with visible injuries to his nose and forehead.
He was granted permission to leave custody as long as he remained on the grounds of the courthouse while his matter was being organised.
As a result, numerous police officers were seen standing outside the building, apparently in case of a possible escape attempt.
The man’s lawyer, Gillian Bilton of Legal Aid, asked that he be granted bail for the night so he could return to his mother’s home and organise his affairs before handing himself in to the Queanbeyan Police Station the following day.
She said he’d noticed the police officers stationed outside the courthouse.
“It’s very clear to [him] that this is not a matter that he can run from,” Ms Bilton said.
But prosecutor Samuel Carmichael instead asked for the man to be extradited to NSW in the company of police officers.
The court heard the alleged burglars had a firearm between them and were accused of breaking into a residential home after the incident at the pub.
It is alleged that the pair were involved in a lengthy car chase with police, which was terminated due to safety concerns.
The court also heard the 42-year-old man was significantly injured in the car crash and police found a firearm in the vehicle when they searched it.
“It’s clear that there’s a significant risk of flight,” Magistrate James Stewart said of the younger man.
“He knows that he’s in trouble in NSW.”
The magistrate refused bail and ordered the man be extradited to NSW.
He will face the Queanbeyan Local Court in the future. He has not been named as he is yet to formally face his charges in court.
It is understood the older man remains in hospital.
The Loaded Dog Hotel referred to the incident in a social media post on Wednesday.
“Hi everyone, we would like to update you all on an incident at the pub this morning,” the post said.
“Everyone is a little bit shaken, but we are all OK. We would like to thank our staff for their professionalism and the Goulburn Police for their speedy attendance and support.
“We will be taking the day to process and assist the police in their inquiries.”
Original Article published by Albert McKnight on Region Canberra.
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