Michael Paul Charles Hurley, 19, is in custody and was refused bail in Tamworth Local Court on Wednesday.

He appeared via video but the feed was cut off suddenly after he kicked at the camera in an outburst.

Police prosecutor Sergeant Rob Baillie opposed bail and told the court he believed there was a strong case against Hurley because a "distinctive feature" could be seen on CCTV footage.

Aboriginal Legal Service defence solicitor Bridget Dawson said Hurley had a wrist tattoo, but it was not of a "bird" and "it's a common place to have a tattoo".

She submitted the CCTV footage did not make it a strong police case.

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"It's unclear whether or not that's actually the accused," she said.

She told the court Hurley was a young man who needed to be in the community with family and to avoid any possible COVID-19 risk in custody.

She said there may be delays in the case as it remained unclear whether the state prosecuting authority, the DPP, would choose to take the matter over from police.

The court heard Hurley had been on strict bail conditions for an unrelated matter at the time of the alleged offending, which included not to enter Tamworth.

"I warned him to strictly comply," magistrate Julie Soars said. The case was adjourned to later this month.

Police allege Hurley broke into a home on Mack Street about 6am on Tuesday, where they claim he stole a backpack and rummaged through it in the front yard.

Hurley is accused of threatening a 47-year-old resident for cash when they approached him, before fleeing empty handed.

He was arrested after a short investigation and faces a string of charges over the alleged incident. No pleas have been entered.

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