A botched pub heist suspect, who allegedly skipped court after discharging himself from hospital with a fractured spine, has been caught and ordered to be extradited to NSW.
The 42-year-old, who has not been named as he is yet to be formally charged in NSW over the alleged robbery attempt, faced the ACT Magistrates Court on Thursday, July 9. He appeared via audio-visual link with his arm in a sling.
The man first faced court on June 26 for extradition proceedings. However, the matter was adjourned while he recovered at Canberra Hospital from eight fractures, including two to his spine, which were suffered when the alleged getaway car crashed.
Under his bail conditions, he was required to return to court immediately upon his release.
An arrest warrant was issued on Tuesday after the court heard he left the hospital on Friday night and had not been seen since.
Police found him on Wednesday night and charged him with failing to appear in court.
On Thursday, Legal Aid duty lawyer Eimear Silk said the man had checked himself out of hospital so he could enter a rehabilitation centre.
"That's all well and good, but he's breached his bail," Magistrate Jane Campbell said.
Ms Silk asked the magistrate to allow the man to remain on bail in the ACT to deal with the new charge before being extradited.
She said the man wanted to support his family during a series of personal matters, including his grandmother being in hospital.
The prosecutor opposed the application, arguing the man had "clearly disobeyed" his bail conditions and the court could have no confidence he would report to police as required.
Ms Campbell agreed with the prosecutor and ordered the man's extradition to NSW under police guard. He will be taken to Queanbeyan Police Station and is expected to be charged over the alleged robbery attempt.
NSW police allege the man and a 38-year-old broke into the Loaded Dog Hotel at Tarago, NSW, on June 24 and used a car and straps to try to rip an ATM from its footings.
When they were unsuccessful, the duo allegedly fled the scene in a white car.
About 9.40am the same day, police were called to a home on Braidwood Road, Tirrannaville, following reports of a second break and enter.
When they arrived, officers located the white vehicle leaving the scene and initiated a pursuit.
The pursuit continued south along Braidwood Road; however, it was terminated due to safety concerns.
Police said the men rolled the vehicle on Foxes Elbow Road, Warri, between Bungendore and Braidwood, about 10am the same day.
Both men were treated by NSW Ambulance paramedics before being taken to Canberra Hospital under police guard.
The 38-year-old man was released from hospital and extradited to NSW shortly after the alleged heist attempt.
He was then taken to Queanbeyan Police Station, where he was charged with two counts of specially aggravated enter dwelling with intent.
The man did not apply for bail when he appeared in Bail Court and it was formally refused.
