A former National Basketball League professional player has faced court on a string of charges including malicious damage relating to throwing rocks at the Lindt cafe in Sydney's Martin Place and assaulting a police officer.
Two-time NBA championship winning star Luke Martin, 34, was refused bail after the magistrate deemed he was a threat to the community and at risk of failing to attend court appearances.
Police allege late Tuesday he drove down recklessly on the wrong side of Elizabeth Street, causing a police pursuit a short time after smashing the windows of the Lindt cafe, which was the scene of last December's deadly siege.
The Holden Cruze travelled along Oxford Street in Darlinghurst and came to a stop in Darlinghurst Road where he left vehicle and allegedly threw a bag, from the back of the car, at officers.
He allegedly resisted arrest and assaulted a male constable, breaking his jaw.
Police arrested and charged him with drive manner dangerous, police pursuit (Skyes Law), assault police occasioning actual bodily harm, resisting arrest and malicious damage in relation to rocks being thrown at the cafe in the night.
Channel Nine obtained security footage that shows a man taking rocks out of the bag on a small trolley, and throwing them at the windows of the cafe.
He will reappear at Sydney's Central Local Court on June 12.
Luke Martin’s most recent playing stint was with the Brisbane Spartans in the semi-professional South East Australian Basketball League.
He has played for the West Sydney Razorbacks, Sydney Kings, Cairns Taipans, South Dragons, Wollongong Hawks and Perth Wildcats.
He represented the Australian national team in 2004 and 2005, and also played multiple stints professionally in New Zealand.
