Brendon James Whitney, arrested in Parramatta Park police chase, apologised to retail worker during alleged robbery, court hears

The man involved in a dramatic arrest yesterday in Parramatta Park has appeared in court, where it emerged he apologised to a shop assistant as he allegedly robbed the store.

Mr Whitney’s arrest. Picture : Peter Carruthers

The man involved in a dramatic arrest yesterday in Parramatta Park has appeared in court, where it emerged he apologised to a shop assistant as he allegedly robbed the store.

Brendon James Whitney, 37, who lives in a makeshift campsite in Edge Hill, appeared in Cairns Magistrates Court on November 14 to apply for bail after being charged with robbery, fraud, and obstructing police.

The court heard police allege that on Friday, November 10 Mr Whitney went into an Edge Hill tobacconist, blocked the retail worker into the counter area, and placed his hands behind his back in what may have been an attempt to look like he had some kind of weapon behind his back.

Mr Whitney then allegedly went over to the cash register and fled with cash.

The court heard the 37-year-old was unemployed, needed money, and allegedly used the stolen money to hire a utility.

Police further alleged that at 12.15 pm on November 13, they responded to reports the utility was travelling at 90km in a 60km/h zone on the wrong side of the road down Gatton St with the three adults inside.

Scenes in Parramatta Park as Mr Whitney was arrested. Picture : Peter Carruthers

Officers were ordered to end the pursuit after the car turned into Severin St and drove erratically toward Anderson St.

The trio, which included Mr Whitney and two women, allegedly dumped the car after crashing it and allegedly attempting to ram a police vehicle.

They allegedly absconded before police arrested Mr Whitney on Denbeigh St, Parramatta Park.

At the scene, police charged a 28-year-old White Rock woman with possession of a dangerous drug and possession of a drug utensil.

They also charged a 40-year-old Cairns woman was charged with dangerous operation of a motor vehicle and evade police.

The court was told Mr Whitney, who watched on from the dock after spending the night in custody, had a limited criminal history, with his last conviction occuring in 2009.

Mr Whitney was granted bail.

The court also heard that Mr Whitney apologised to the retail worker during the robbery and his defence lawyer argued that “while this does not excuse his actions it does indicate remorse and therefore a reduced risk of re-offending”.

Magistrate Sandra Pearson said she was persuaded that Mr Whitney’s limited criminal history showed he “was not an unacceptable risk of re-offending”.

She granted him bail on the condition he report twice weekly to police.

He will return to court on January 19 next year.

It is not yet known whether he will plead guilty or not guilty.

Originally published as Brendon James Whitney, arrested in Parramatta Park police chase, apologised to retail worker during alleged robbery, court hears