An Illawarra criminal has admitted using a taser gun to stun a UOW student and rob him of his car moments before he was due to start an exam.
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Greg Merritt, 20, of Albion Park, pleaded guilty to charges of special aggravated robbery in company, vehicle theft and larceny stemming from a crime spree spanning three days from December 11 last year.
Police documents tendered to Wollongong Local Court said the student parked his grey Volkswagen Golf Merritt on Robsons Road in Keiraville about 9.40am on December 11 as he was due to take an exam on campus.
Merritt approached the 21-year-old and zapped him three times with an electronic stun device in the lower left abdomen while demanding his car keys.
The man handed over the keys, at which time Merritt asked for his wallet as well.
The victim said he didn't have one, prompting Merritt to say "as if" then demand the chain around the man's neck.
Merritt got into the Volkswagon and drove away.
The victim reported the incident to police.
Meanwhile, Merritt nicked a car outside a takeaway shop in Gwynneville the following day after the owner left it momentarily unattended.
The car was found a short distance away two hours later, however a large sum of cash that had been in a brief case in the car was missing.
Merritt also admitted to stealing multiple number plates from parked cars over the three-day period.
The plates were switched to different cars Merritt and his co-accused were driving during the timeframe.
Merritt was arrested on December 19 after becoming involved in an unrelated confrontation at Thirroul.
Police said Merritt boarded a train at Thirroul before disembarking at Bulli where he was pursued and captured.
He participated in an interview with police and admitted to most of the offences, the police facts said.
He also identified himself in screen shots of CCTV footage.
However, he denied using a taser on the student, claiming instead he had punched him several times in the sternum.
Merritt remains in custody without bail.
He will face Wollongong District Court on Friday where a date for his sentencing will be set.