A man accused of taking part in a bungled pub heist before crashing a getaway car has failed to appear in court after discharging himself from hospital, prompting a magistrate to issue an arrest warrant.
The 42-year-old, who has not been named as he is yet to formally face charges, was due to face the ACT Magistrates Court on Tuesday, July 7, where the prosecution was expected to seek his extradition to NSW.
He first faced court on June 26, where he was originally granted bail while he recovered from major surgery at Canberra Hospital. As a condition of his bail, he was required to return to court upon being released from hospital.
On Tuesday, the prosecutor applied for a warrant for the man's arrest, after the court heard he left the hospital on Friday night and had not been seen since.
Legal Aid duty lawyer Eimear Silk said she had spoken to the 42-year-old on Friday, but was later informed he had discharged himself.
"He has eight different fractures, including two to his spine," she told the court.
She also said the man had contracted a staph infection in hospital and remained on antibiotics.
Ms Silk pointed out that an ACT warrant may not be necessary, as there was already an active NSW warrant for the man's arrest and he would ultimately be brought before the court regardless.
However, magistrate Glenn Theakston issued the arrest warrant, adding that the 42-year-old could also present himself to the court voluntarily "if he wishes to do so".
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.
