Teen accused of ram raid crime spree that caused about $30,000 in damage to businesses

A teenager is accused of embarking on a days-long crime spree in which he and others allegedly committed a series of ram raids against multiple businesses, causing damage that cost about $30,000 to repair.

Jack Martin Warner, an 18-year-old from Isabella Plains, had been handed 12 burglary-related charges, among others, before he applied for bail in the ACT Magistrates Court on Friday (23 February).

At around 4 am on 17 December 2023, he allegedly drove a stolen Mitsubishi Eclipse Cross through the glass front doors of the Brew ‘n’ Bun cafe in Fyshwick before he got out and ransacked the business; then he and two others stole bottles of Powerade before leaving, court documents say.

Shortly afterwards, the Eclipse Cross was allegedly driven through the front doors of Ozzy Tyres in Fyshwick, then Warner and others allegedly ransacked the business and stole items like iPhones, a computer and $1650 cash.

Also that morning, Warner allegedly reversed the stolen car through the front doors of Subway in Fyshwick and stole items from behind the counter – including a packet of chips – before driving off, leaving behind the car’s rear bumper.

When police arrived, they saw there had been ram raids to other nearby businesses as well – Fyshwick Cafe & Bakery, Lincoln Sentry, Ten Tops, Shell Coles Express and the Anatolia Mediterranean Market, from which honey, shishas and $500 cash were reportedly taken.

The stolen Eclipse Cross was later found on fire in stormwater drains at Isabella Plains.

Then, early in the morning of 28 December 2023, Warner allegedly used a shovel to smash his way into BWS in Wright, then took the store’s tills and bottles of whiskey.

It is alleged he and others also smashed their way into the Mon Perry bakery in Chapman and searched the place but didn’t steal anything.

When police arrived, they found damage to other nearby stores as well, including TSG and Sin Yau Garden.

Police had not received damage estimates from every affected business, but currently, the total cost of repairs was estimated to be almost $30,000.

Warner was arrested at a home in Chisholm on 31 December, where he had been found hiding under a bed.

On Friday, his lawyer, Bol Mathiang of Peter Agoth & Associates, said his client had been under the influence of drugs towards the end of 2023.

He argued that if his client was granted bail, the risks could be ameliorated by him living with his grandfather under a curfew and attending a drug rehabilitation program.

Magistrate James Lawton ultimately thought it was not appropriate to grant bail, noting the number of serious charges, the strong circumstantial case, and how he was not satisfied that conditions could ameliorate the risks of alleged reoffending.

Warner was remanded in custody to 7 March and no pleas were entered.

“Love ya,” he called to his family members in the courtroom before being led away.