A young man has claimed he did not know he was in a stolen car despite him being caught on CCTV deliberately changing the number plates, a court has heard.
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Gwynneville's Reily Ashford, 23, was refused bail after he alleged travelled in two stolen cars last month.
Documents tendered to court said the owner of a white Hyundai Santa Fe station wagon notified police his car had been stolen in the early hours of September 27.
Wollongong police were patrolling in the Woonona area on October 3 about 11.20pm when a resident stopped to tell officers he had witnessed three men reverse a white Hyundai into his driveway on Campbell Street.
The resident approached the men before they ran away in a southerly direction and climbed over a fence.
Officers gave chase and saw the men run east along the Woonona/Bulli RSL Club car park.
Police jumped over several fences and after a short foot pursuit they lost sight of the men. More resources were called, including PolAir, but the men were not located.
Police confirmed the car was the one stolen from Woonona days before and interviewed neighbours who provided photos of the men.
The car was examined allegedly revealing Ashford's fingerprints on the bonnet and his DNA on the internal side of the front passenger door handle.
Police further allege a white Hyundai Tucson was stolen from a home in Bulli about 2am on October 18.
On October 27, Ashford and another man were allegedly captured on CCTV in Campbelltown Shopping Centre car park getting out of the stolen Tucson and approaching a parked car before Ashford removed the registration plates and replaced them with another set of stolen plates.
The new plates were then secured to the Tucson before the men drove away. The owner of the car saw the different plates and called police.
Police arrested the other man on October 29 where they found a Hyundai car key in his pants.
Police found the Tucson with the stolen number plates nearby and a forensic examination allegedly revealed Ashford's fingerprints.
Police were unable to find Ashford to arrest him until Friday last week. He was charged with two counts of being carried in a conveyance taken without the consent of the owner, entering a vehicle without the consent of the owner and larceny.
On Monday, the court heard Ashford was on intensive and community corrections orders at the time of the alleged offences and had a history of violence and failing to follow court orders.
Police prosecutor Sergeant David Weaver said Ashford previously said he did not "know the car was stolen" but his alleged actions in taking the number plates contradicted that claim.
Defence lawyer Jack Hibbard said his client had been "doing well" while being supervised by community corrections and working casually.
Magistrate Christopher McRobert said the case against Ashford appeared to be strong and supported by CCTV footage and had no confidence he would not reoffend. Ashford was refused bail and the case was adjourned to next month.
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