"Don't dare stop me," a man allegedly warned a supermarket worker while brandishing a knife during an alleged shoplifting attempt at the Canberra Centre.
Simon Pasi Sutinen, aged in his late 30s, appeared in the ACT Magistrates Court on Wednesday, September 9, where his bail was refused.
He is yet to enter pleas to charges of aggravated robbery involving an offensive weapon, possessing a knife without reasonable excuse and minor theft.
The court heard the alleged robbery occurred at Coles in the Canberra Centre about 5.20pm on Tuesday.
Special magistrate Lucinda Wilson noted allegations that Sutinen had "blatantly" stolen a bag of grocery items worth about $170 when a loss prevention officer asked him to leave the items in the store.
The man allegedly brandished a knife and said, "Don't dare stop me", which led to the officer alerting his co-workers.
The court heard the man then allegedly left the store carrying the knife and groceries before police were alerted and attempted to stop him.
He allegedly dropped the groceries and ran through Northbourne Avenue before throwing the knife away. He was arrested shortly after.
Legal Aid duty lawyer Niamh Dwyer applied for bail on Sutinen's behalf, arguing conditions could adequately manage any risk the man posed to the community.
The proposed conditions included supervision, a requirement not to assault or harass anyone involved in the alleged robbery, and a ban on entering the Coles store in the Canberra Centre.
The court also heard the man had "significant" mental health conditions and regularly engaged with mental health services.
The prosecutor opposed bail, pointing to concerns about the man's compliance with court orders.
She also said the man was "known to carry knives" and argued there was a strong prosecution case, including CCTV footage relating to the alleged robbery.
The prosecutor also raised concerns about the man's alleged explanation that he had carried the knife in self-defence.
Ms Wilson ultimately refused bail, finding the risk of releasing him into the community was "too great".
His case will return to court later this month.
