Case of alleged gun-wielding robber of Nick Kyrgios' Tesla waiting on evidence

The case of the alleged robber accused of stealing the keys to Nick Kyrgios’ Tesla at gunpoint from the tennis star’s mother is waiting on more evidence before it progresses.

The 32-year-old, who has not been named for legal reasons, has been held in custody since his arrest after the alleged incident on 1 May 2023.

On Tuesday (18 July), his lawyer, Legal Aid’s Dr Jan de Bruin, confirmed to the ACT Magistrates Court that his client had entered not guilty pleas to his charges and he said there were still outstanding items remaining in the brief of evidence.

Dr de Bruin said he wanted a four-week adjournment in the case to obtain all the outstanding items.

While the defendant did not appear in court in person, his lawyer said he knew he was making this adjournment application.

Magistrate James Lawton continued the defendant’s remand in custody and adjourned until 15 August for a pre-hearing mention of the case.

It is alleged Mr Kyrgios’s mother had partially opened the front door of a home on 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. She said she didn’t know how because it wasn’t hers.

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 defendant 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.

Later that month, police claimed the shotgun used in the alleged robbery had been seized.

The defendant has been charged with aggravated robbery, failing to stop a motor vehicle for police, riding/driving a motor vehicle without consent and resisting a public territory official.