Two brothers have faced the ACT Magistrates Court after an alleged armed robbery at the Calwell Woolworths which ended with one brother being detained in store by customers.
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Joshua Sullivan, 27, and Rhys Sullivan, 24, were each charged with one count of stealing $775 from the supermarket with a threat of force while armed with a knife.
Rhys Sullivan was also charged with trespass after he was allegedly found by police hiding in a nearby garage after the incident.
Rhys Sullivan entered pleas of not guilty to all charges while Joshua Sullivan did not enter pleas.
Neither man applied for bail and they were remanded in custody.
It is alleged the brothers entered the Calwell Woolworths on Saturday at about 9:40pm.
They allegedly demanded money from staff while armed with knives.
Several members of the public allegedly intervened and managed to hold Joshua Sullivan down, performing a citizens' arrest.
Rhys Sullivan allegedly fled the scene and after a tip-off from a member of the public was found shortly thereafter hiding in a nearby garage and arrested.
During the scuffle in the supermarket it's alleged one member of the public received a laceration to the hand before Joshua Sullivan allegedly dropped his knife.
The bystanders were able to restrain Joshua Sullivan until police attended the supermarket and arrested him.
Joshua Sullivan will reappear in court in January, while Rhys Sullivan will be remanded in custody until February while a brief of evidence is created.
Police thanked the members of the public that intervened and provided information leading to the arrests.
ACT Policing's detective acting superintendent Matt Reynolds said police were very appreciative of the public's efforts in detaining the man.
However, it was not what police would advise the public do in those situations.
"Police will eventually apprehend these people and they'll go before the court," detective Reynolds said.
"So we don't want the public risking their lives."
There had been instances in the ACT where people who intervened had been seriously injured, he said.
In this incident one person had received a minor injury, but detective Reynolds said their "concern is it could be a lot worse".
The safest option was for staff and the public to comply with the demands of an offender, he said.
The best thing a member of the public could do was to be a really good witness, he said, and observe details of an offender's appearance to pass onto police.
Details such as skin colour, hair colour, age and clothing could prove invaluable to police.
Anyone with information that could assist police is urged to contact Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000, or via the Crime Stoppers ACT website.
Quote reference number 6478681 and information can be provided anonymously.
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