A second person has been charged after a man was allegedly blackmailed, robbed, and beaten unconscious.
Mohammed Nchouki faced the ACT Magistrates Court on Wednesday, May 27, where he was granted bail.
He pleaded not guilty to multiple charges, including joint commission blackmail, aggravated robbery and possessing or using a prohibited weapon without authorisation.
His charges follow the earlier arrest of 30-year-old Douglas John Fry as part of the same investigation.
Police allege that in late April, Fry demanded money from the alleged victim and threatened to file false police reports if he did not pay.
The alleged victim then transferred a sum of money to Fry in an attempt to stop the harassment.
On April 27, at the alleged victim's apartment in Belconnen, a confrontation is said to have broken out between him, Fry, and Nchouki.
During the confrontation, Fry allegedly brandished a firearm to intimidate the alleged victim, who was then allegedly assaulted to the point of unconsciousness.
Police allege that while the man was unconscious, Fry and Nchouki stole multiple items including a motorbike, mobile phones, jewellery, footwear and a drone.
The alleged victim later sought medical treatment and provided a statement to police.
The total value of the property was estimated to be more than $20,000, according to police.
On Monday, officers searched Fry's home in Hughes and seized a number of items, including property believed to be connected to the alleged crimes and a Taser.
Police allege Fry attempted to conceal his mobile phone while the search was being conducted.
He is yet to enter pleas to joint commission blackmail, aggravated robbery, choking a person insensible, possessing a prohibited weapon without authorisation, and destroying or concealing evidence.
In court, a Legal Aid duty lawyer argued for Fry to be bailed to his home in Hughes.
She said proposed conditions, including not to contact or be within 100 metres of the alleged victim, co-accused or witnesses, could ameliorate the prosecution's concerns about committing a crime.
Magistrate James Stewart said he didn't need to hear from the persecution before denying the man's bail application.
He said there was a "very high risk" that Fry could interfere with evidence and witnesses.
Both cases will return to court at a later date.
