Man facing multiple charges after stealing from a Greenway leisure centre

Dwayne Goward, a 34-year-old man from Oaks Estate, was remanded in custody when he appeared before Magistrate James Stewart in the ACT Magistrates Court on Saturday morning after being charged with two counts of stealing, property damage and theft of a motor vehicle.

The alleged offender had sneaked past front office staff at the centre on Friday and while inside, is alleged to have stolen two bags from people who were using the sauna. Both bags contained sets of car keys.

A short time later, an employee at the leisure centre heard a crash outside and went out to investigate. He saw the alleged offender trying to push a Mitsubishi Triton backwards out of a parking space.

MORE A.C.T. CRIME NEWS:

The police statement of facts tendered in court said the alleged offender saw the staff member coming toward him, jumped back in the car, locked all the doors and started the engine.

He then accelerated forward, crashing into a garden bed, hitting a tree and smashing into the front of a Holden Captiva parked opposite. The collision wedged the Triton between the tree and the Captiva.

The offender attempted to flee but a member of the public held the driver's door shut. He managed to get out of the car but was tackled to the ground, then allegedly attempted to gouge, scratch and bite his captors.

Goward was arrested soon after by police, taken to hospital for a health check, then held in custody.

He was refused bail by Magistrate Stewart, who cited the offender's extreme attempt to avoid apprehension, his likelihood of reoffending, and the real risk posed to members of the public when he commits offences.

Goward will reappear on December 21.

Our journalists work hard to provide local, up-to-date news to the community. This is how you can continue to access our trusted content: