Dapto skate park: Brayden Stephens accused of gunpoint robbery

A man and teen boy have been charged after they allegedly stole a car at gunpoint at Dapto skate park.

Brayden Stephens appeared in court on January 13. Picture: Facebook

A man accused of stealing a car at gunpoint at an Illawarra skate park has been refused bail, after allegedly spending almost a week on the run.

Brayden Stephens, 22, was arrested at a Unanderra home on Tuesday evening, after police issued a public appeal for information about his whereabouts.

He was charged with robbery while armed with dangerous weapon and faced Wollongong Local Court from the cells at Wollongong Police Station on Wednesday, where he did not apply for bail and it was formally refused.

Police at the scene of the alleged robbery. Picture: Madeline Crittenden

According to court documents, police allege around 3am on January 7, Stephens and a 17-year-old boy met up with three other men at Dapto Skate park on Bong Bong Road.

Police have been told two men – aged 22 and 30 – were standing outside a black Holden Captiva for the prearranged meeting, while a third man, aged 24, remained inside the car.

It’s alleged the 17-year-old boy armed with a firearm approached the car, before threatening the 24-year-old man and stealing the Holden in the company of a fifth man.

It’s further alleged Stephens produced a pistol, and again threatened the 24-year-old and 30-year-old men, before stealing a mobile phone and fleeing in a white Toyota Corolla.

Officers scoured the area for several hours. Picture: Madeline Crittenden

There were no reported injuries.

It’s alleged the black Holden Captiva was found at a park in Berkeley later that day.

Following extensive inquiries, the 17-year-old boy was arrested in Haywards Bay about 3.30pm last Friday. A short time later, two search warrants were executed at homes in Unanderra and Haywards Bay.

The teen was taken to Lake Illawarra Police Station and charged with robbery while armed with dangerous weapon and be carried in conveyance taken without consent of owner.

He was refused bail and appeared in a children’s court later this month.

Stephens will return to court in March.