A Gowrie man whose car was found burnt out hours after he told police it had been sold has been charged with concealing evidence allegedly related to a robbery of a motorbike store.
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The man has also faced weapons charges, including for the alleged possession of a hand-held electrical device – disguised as an iPhone – designed to give people an electric shock.
Police believe the grey Mazda 323 registered to Brent Andrew Proudfoot, 34, was used in an aggravated robbery of Joe's Motorcycles in Fyshwick on August 8.
The robbery was committed by two men, one of whom suffered a head injury which led to a large amount of blood being found near the store, documents tended in the ACT Magistrates Court on Saturday said.
Police believe this offender bled significantly inside the Mazda hatchback.
At 5pm on Tuesday police had a phone conversation with the defendant in which he said he had sold the vehicle and knew nothing about the robbery. He could not provide details of the new owner and told police he would call back with the information in half an hour, but never did.
At 5am the following day the grey Mazda was found with extensive fire damage at Paddys River, south of Tharwa.
Court documents said all potential forensic evidence had been destroyed.
Police searched the defendant's Gowrie home later in the day and again he was unable to provide details of the owner. On Friday he was charged with hindering a police investigation and concealing evidence after again providing no information.
In an interview after arrest he said he had bought the car four to six weeks ago, transferred it into his name, then sold it about two to three weeks ago for $750 to "David", who he described as a friend of a friend.
The defendant refused to provide the name of the friend who had introduced him to "David".
He was also charged with possession of the handheld device, calling it a "Taser", and a butterfly knife, both found in the Gowrie home.
No pleas were entered.
Magistrate Bernadette Boss granted bail against opposition from the prosecutor, saying she could not be satisfied there was a likelihood the defendant would commit further offences, despite there being a risk.
The case will return to court next month.
