A teenager accused of stealing thousands of dollars from clubs during a month-long crime spree is also a suspect in robberies at Macquarie, a court has heard.
Subscribe now for unlimited access.
$0/
(min cost $0)
or signup to continue reading
Azad Najman, also known as Azad Ayoub, 19, appeared in the ACT Magistrates Court yesterday facing three charges of theft.
He did not enter pleas.
Najman is accused of stealing more than $11,000 from the Ainslie Football Social Club, the Mawson Club and the Southern Cross Club in Phillip.
Between March and April, Najman allegedly made his way into the clubs by leaping on to smoking balconies and patios before helping himself to up to $5000 from the club's cash boxes.
Police allege he also carried out a similar theft at the Queanbeyan Leagues Club, taking another $5000 from the cash box over two hours.
The court heard Najman's fingerprints were found at the scene of two thefts and a shoe print from the Ainslie Football Club were also linked to him.
On March 18, police officers were summoned to the Southern Cross Club in Phillip again after Najman allegedly jumped on to the club's smoking balcony and then made an appearance in the clubhouse with a T-shirt over his head. He was spotted by security guards and chased through the club.
A police informant told the court Najman was also a suspect in other crimes, including aggravated robberies at Macquarie.
The court heard the Dunlop man committed the crimes to feed an addiction to methamphetamine and there were fears he would flee the country if granted bail.
His parents had also told officers they wanted to take him out of Australia and had kicked him out of the family home several days ago.
But Najman's brother, Amjad Ayoub, told the court the defendant had support from his family and continued to live at home.
''He's always been welcome there,'' he said.
The court heard Najman was arrested on Wednesday after police were summoned to a Tuggeranong home.
The man who called police said Najman was going to break into his house and beat him up.
Najman's defence lawyer told the court the disturbance appeared to be linked to a dispute between his client and another drug user.
He said Najman worked five to six days a week for his father and would submit to strict conditions on bail and a curfew.
But the prosecution argued there was a risk the teenager would flee the country or commit further crimes if released.
Magistrate Peter Morrison refused bail.