Braden Samuel Hardy in court after ‘violent’ arrest at Harbour Town shopping centre

New details of the alleged assault and police pursuit leading up to a man’s “violent” arrest in the carpark of a Gold Coast shopping centre have been aired in court. FULL UPDATE

A man taken down in an allegedly violent arrest in the carpark of a Gold Coast shopping centre will remain behind bars after being refused bail.

Braden Samuel Hardy was sporting several bruises on his face when he appeared in Southport Magistrates Court for the first time since being taken into custody at Harbour Town shopping centre on Saturday morning.

He faces charges including evading police, dangerous operation of a vehicle while adversely affected, assault occasioning bodily harm, driving unlicensed, and obstructing police.

Arrest at Harbour Town shopping centre (pixelated). Photo: Kathleen Skene

Police say they were searching for a Nissan Patrol after it allegedly crashed into a Porsche on Riverwood Drive at Ashmore and left the scene about 8.30am Saturday.

Prosecutor Chris Freeman said during Mr Hardy’s bail application on Monday that the man allegedly pulled into the driveway of a stranger’s Reedy Creek home about an hour later.

Mr Freeman said the Bethania man had a brief exchange with a man at the home before allegedly accelerating forwards, slamming into the garage and causing extensive damage.

The court was told the other man called for help, at which Mr Hardy allegedly got out of his car and knocked him to the ground with one punch to the head.

A dramatic arrest at Harbour Town Shopping centre on the Gold Coast, November 4, 2023.

It will be alleged Mr Hardy then entered the house through the unlocked front door, but quickly fled after being confronted by another man inside.

Mr Freeman said Mr Hardy allegedly drove off, stopping for only seconds when he was spotted by police on nearby Observatory Drive before speeding off.

He told the court police continued tracking Mr Hardy as he travelled along the M1, watching as he allegedly cut across several lanes of traffic and drove off the highway onto an embankment before rejoining the Helensvale off-ramp.

Mr Hardy allegedly seemed intoxicated and violently resisted arrest when he was tracked down at Harbour Town the court was told.

It was heard he was on bail for unrelated offences at the time.

Duty lawyer Dave Carlin told the court Mr Hardy had full-time work as a labourer and would be willing to comply with bail conditions.

Mr Carlin said his client’s alleged offending seemed largely “unplanned” and that his apparent intoxication at the time may be contested.

Magistrate Dzenita Balic refused Mr Hardy’s bail, saying she had “grave concerns” about his alleged conduct and that there was a “real question mark” above either his state of mind or substance use.

He was remanded in custody with his case to return to court on December 1.

Originally published as Braden Samuel Hardy in court after ‘violent’ arrest at Harbour Town shopping centre