'I'll shoot you': Alleged mall robber claims he has gun during threats

A man who allegedly said he had a gun as he threatened people at two Canberra shopping centres was later found to only be carrying a bottle of whiskey under his shirt.

Thomas Robson, 29, faces two counts of robbery as well as trespassing and making demands with threats over the allegations.

He was issued a six-month banning notice at the Canberra Centre in early November 2024, the ACT Magistrates Court heard.

Then on 26 November, he allegedly went to a pharmacy at Woden Westfield, approached a pharmacist with his hand on the waist of his pants and repeatedly said something like: “I have a gun. Give me three boxes of Valium.”

Security was contacted but Robson left the store before staff arrived.

He allegedly went to the Canberra Centre again later that day, breaching the banning notice.

The court heard Robson had his hand under his shirt when he approached a person in front of a store and said: “Give me 500 bucks or I’ll shoot you.” The person allegedly gave Robson money.

Magistrate Ian Temby said Robson then entered a convenience store with his hand under his shirt.

“Get all the money and smokes in a bag or I’ll shoot you. You’ve got five seconds,” he allegedly told a worker.

The court was told the worker couldn’t open the till quickly, so Robson stole money from a charity box before leaving.

Police arrested Robson, who was not found with a gun but a bottle of Jack Daniels whiskey under his shirt.

Robson spent about three months in custody after his arrest before appearing in the ACT Magistrates Court on Tuesday (4 March) to apply for bail.

His lawyer, Legal Aid’s Sam Brown, argued Robson’s mental health was central to the alleged offences and explained the somewhat erratic behaviour.

He said his client was diagnosed with schizophrenia and at the time of the allegations had decided to stop taking his medication. However, he had started taking medication again in custody.

Prosecutor Madeleine Gallo opposed bail, saying police were concerned Robson had committed his offences to support his drug addiction.

Mr Brown argued his client had not been using substances at the time of the alleged offences.

Magistrate Temby said he was concerned about Robson’s capacity to comply with bail conditions.

He said more needed to be done to support his bail application and was not satisfied it was appropriate to grant bail.

Bail was refused and Robson was remanded in custody. The matter was adjourned to 17 March.