Alleged knife-point theft of taxi sees man refused bail

After the alleged threats by a switchblade-wielding man saw a taxi driver flee his vehicle in fear, the man allegedly stole the car and then led police on a chase through Belconnen.

Anthony Bruce Neil Merritt, a 39-year-old from Ngunnawal, went on to be refused bail over the allegations when he faced court.

Earlier, an ACT Policing spokesperson alleged he got into a taxi on Bunda Street in Civic at around 2 am on Sunday (23 February) and then threatened the driver with a knife.

The driver got out of his taxi on Alinga Street and called police.

Merritt allegedly drove off in the taxi before police began chasing it in Macquarie.

“It was observed exceeding the speed limit and regularly crossing onto the wrong side of the road,” the police spokesperson alleged.

“The pursuit ended in Whitlam when the taxi mounted a kerb and came to a stop.”

Merritt was arrested and formally charged with taking a motor vehicle without consent, possessing a knife without a reasonable excuse, unlicenced driving and reckless driving when he faced the ACT Magistrates Court on Monday (24 February).

Chief Magistrate Lorraine Walker said it was alleged the taxi driver had his taxi taken as he was so frightened of the threats the knife-wielding Merritt had been making while driving him.

She said after the driver got out of the taxi, Merritt allegedly drove recklessly. When police arrested him, they thought he was affected by drugs or alcohol.

Merritt’s lawyer applied for bail, which the prosecutor opposed.

His lawyer said her client had been dealing with “grief and depression”, had strong ties to the ACT and had significant physical health problems that prevented him from working.

She said he was currently on Centrelink.

Chief Magistrate Walker ultimately said Merritt posed a significant risk to public safety, and it was not appropriate to grant bail.

He was remanded in custody and the matter was adjourned to 13 March.