A Canberra man arrested after members of the public intervened to end an alleged crime spree across the city's south has appeared in court with his hands in shackles and a bandage on a wound on his face.

Key points: James Thorn, 31, was trapped in a car he was allegedly trying to steal

James Thorn, 31, was trapped in a car he was allegedly trying to steal Mr Thorn is accused of several attempted carjackings

Mr Thorn is accused of several attempted carjackings Court refuses him bail as lawyers ask for mental health assessment

James Thorn, 31, was caught after he was trapped by members of the public as he allegedly tried to steal a car from Kambah Village in Tuggeranong on Saturday morning, but the first of the crimes he is charged with happened more than 24 hours earlier.

On Friday morning Mr Thorn allegedly took a car at Greenway after threatening the owner.

The next day police said he was spotted driving erratically on Boddington Crescent in Kambah.

Police allege he then attempted to steal two cars at a petrol station, armed with a pair of scissors, before driving to Kambah Village where he crashed into parked cars.

But when he allegedly tried to steal another car by force members of the public intervened and trapped him in the vehicle until police arrived.

Police said while they praised the bravery of bystanders in this instance, they did not encourage members of the public taking matters into their own hands.

Appearing in the ACT Magistrates Court on Monday, Mr Thorn was charged with 12 offences including dangerous driving and several attempts of stealing a car using force.

He did not apply for bail and was remanded in custody, but his lawyer asked the court for a mental health assessment.

The court heard Mr Thorn had been on bail for a series of other offences, for which he was due to be sentenced next month.

He will be back in court in June.