About 3.45am Wednesday a silent alarm was triggered at a commercial business in Cooks Hill. Staff attended and noticed there were people inside the building, immediately contacting police.

Newcastle City Police District officers surrounded the building and observed a male exit the premises wheeling a safe on a trolley. When challenged by police he attempted to run but was unable to escape and was arrested at the scene. He was searched and police seized a butterfly knife and vehicle keys.

Shortly afterwards a female exited the premises holding a machete. When challenged she dropped the machete and was arrested without incident. Both were taken to Newcastle Police Station.

A search by police nearby located a stolen motor vehicle which contained further stolen property from other break and enter offences around Newcastle.

Police said they have since uncovered evidence linking the 26-year-old male to a spate of aggravated break, enter and steal offences in The Hill area.

The man from Bar Beach was charged with 24 offences including seven counts of aggravated break enter and steal, take and drive conveyance, possess prohibited weapon, eleven counts of dishonestly obtain property by deception, possess housebreaking implements, receiving stolen property, enter land with intent to commit indictable offence, carry cutting weapon upon apprehension.

The 36-year-old female from Bar Beach was charged with seven offences including three counts of aggravated break, enter and steal, carry cutting weapon upon apprehension, receiving stolen property and dishonestly obtain property by deception.

Both were refused police bail and will appear before Newcastle Local Court on Thursday.

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