Nick Kyrgios, who helped police track an alleged robber, stands next to his green Tesla. Photo: Instagram.
A man has been accused of stealing a Tesla owned by Nick Kyrgios after allegedly robbing the tennis star’s mother at gunpoint.
The 32-year-old was arrested and refused bail in the ACT Magistrates Court on Tuesday (2 May), during which he mentioned the sports star’s name in one of his comments to the magistrate.
It is alleged Mr Kyrgios’s mother had partially opened the front door of a home on Monday morning (1 May) to find a mask-wearing man standing outside and holding a long-barrelled firearm that was pointed at her, court documents say.
He allegedly forced the door open with his gun, demanded the keys to Mr Kyrgios’ green Tesla, which was parked nearby, then pointed the gun towards her and demanded she tell him how to drive it.
It is reported she was escorted outside at gunpoint but ran back inside the home and screamed for help when the man got inside the car.
Mr Kyrgios used an app on his mobile phone to track his Tesla so he was able to tell police its location. He also placed a speed limit of 80 km/h on the car via the app, which helped police follow the car.
Police found the Tesla parked on a street about 15 minutes after it was stolen, but the driver allegedly sped away when they approached.
A pursuit was started, with police chasing the car through Canberra while Mr Kyrgios gave them updates on its location.
Officers cornered the car in Ainslie at about 9 am and the man was allegedly pulled from the driver’s seat and arrested after a struggle, during which he was tasered.
Police said that due to his alleged non-compliance during his arrest, he sustained a number of injuries and was taken to the Canberra Hospital for treatment.
Afterwards, he allegedly told police he could not remember much of the morning due to a change in medication.
The man, who is not being named for legal reasons, applied for bail in the ACT Magistrates Court on Tuesday (2 May), which was opposed by the prosecutor over concerns he could fail to appear in court and interfere with witnesses.
His lawyer, Legal Aid’s Ketinia McGowan, argued his alleged involvement in the robbery was entirely circumstantial as it was based on when the Tesla was stolen and when her client was found inside it.
The court also heard the man had claimed he and his family had been receiving threats over a substantial debt, but Ms McGowan said he was unsure who those people were or why they were making demands.
Magistrate Glenn Theakston ultimately said no bail conditions could adequately address the risks of alleged reoffending and refused bail.
Afterwards, the man spoke up to say he had already told police he could get “the firearm” back, although he did not explain what gun he was referring to.
He was remanded in custody and the matter was adjourned to later in May.
He has not entered pleas to his charges which included aggravated robbery, failing to stop a motor vehicle for police, riding/driving a motor vehicle without consent and resisting a public territory official.
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