Squatter discovered after trying to cash a cheque

Slobodan Novakovic, 33, was denied bail when he appeared in ACT Magistrates Court on Friday on charges including trespassing on the Leichardt Street property.

Police initially visited the unit on Wednesday amid concerns someone had been squatting there while the owner was living in Japan, Constable Stephen Gamarra told the court.

He said the owner, who hadn't lived in the unit since 2008, contacted the body corporate after someone tried to cash a fraudulent cheque from a book believed to be in the unit.

"There was food and items suggesting that someone had been in there," he said.

Constable Gamarra said forensics officers were called to the scene and the locks were changed before authorities left the partially furnished unit.

Upon returning the following morning, officers noticed the sliding door and curtains had been moved and the door appeared to be barricaded from the inside.

Officers then heard a window smash and ran around the complex, where they saw a Novakovic walking away in the vicinity of the unit's balcony.

When apprehended, Constable Gamarra said Novakovic's answers were "highly evasive".

He said the defendant was in possession of a number of stolen items, including a container of stamps. A set of car keys also in his possession led police to a vehicle parked outside the unit complex, which has been seized under suspicion of containing further stolen items.

Constable Gamarra expressed concerns that Novakovic may interfere with potential witnesses in the complex if granted bail.

"These residents are of age and have expressed genuine concerns," he said.

But Novakovic's lawyer said the concerns raised by the prosecution regarding witnesses were "not well founded".

He said his client, a housepainter, had previously been living with family in Scullin.

Magistrate Peter Morrison denied bail, citing Novakovic's "extensive criminal history".

He has been remanded in custody to reappear in the ACT Magistrate's Court on July 19.