After a disagreement with his brother, Asa Enoch Grace-Pere damaged his sibling's car and fled from the police.
He has pleaded guilty to escaping lawful custody and wilful damage.
On Tuesday, Whanganui District Court heard that Grace-Pere went to his brother's house in Bell St about 6.40pm on September 16 and demanded money.
He then put two dents in his brother's vehicle as he left the property empty-handed.
The police called Grace-Pere on his cellphone and asked him to return to the house, where they tried to arrest him. But as he was being handcuffed, Grace-Pere "shot the gap", said defence lawyer Harete Hipango.
"The fact he only got 170 metres before he gave up would suggest his fitness might not be quite what it should be."
The 23-year-old has been unable to work since October 3 after being imprisoned for breaching bail, but Ms Hipango said he had a job to go to.
Although his record included some serious convictions, Grace-Pere had been on the right side of the law for the past two years, she said.
Judge Philip Crayton remanded Grace-Pere on bail to November 22 for a restorative justice conference to take place ahead of his sentencing.