Almost $3,500 in groceries and goods were stolen from Woolworths-owned stores in Canberra in just over a week using fake vouchers, the ACT Magistrates Court has heard.

A 44-year-old man appeared in court on Saturday morning over the scam, which the court heard was undertaken to get the attention of the Australian Federal Police.

Evidence tendered in court alleged that in three incidents last week, the man and several co-offenders filled trolleys with a total of 272 items from both Woolworths and Big W, which are owned by the same parent company.

They would then allegedly either present fake vouchers labelled as being from the "Royal Bank of Australia" or would simply leave the store without paying.

The group allegedly stole an eclectic mix of groceries, including avocados, camembert cheese, mussels and cured meats, along with Arnott's Barbecue Shapes, donuts, biscuits and chocolate eclairs.

The 44-year-old man, from the Northern Territory, was arrested after he approached the AFP headquarters with a "dossier" of information.

The man allegedly told police the stolen goods were still in his hotel room in Queanbeyan, New South Wales, and he took them to "test the lawfulness of the courts".

He argued the Royal Bank of Australia vouchers were legitimate currency, but when asked how he was paying for the hotel, the man said he was paying with "real money".

He appeared in court barefooted, as the police had seized the shoes and socks he was wearing as stolen items.

The man was refused bail over concerns he may leave the ACT or communicate with his alleged co-offenders.

There were also concerns he may tamper with the mostly food evidence.

He is expected to appear again in court next week.