FOUR teenagers are among five people police allege were involved in a break-in that allegedly left a Maitland business picking up the pieces after suffering $60,000 in damage and stolen goods.
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Port Stephens-Hunter detectives had been examining the two separate break-ins at a Rutherford business after they were told three people attempted to force entry in the early hours of December 27.
The trio were unsuccessful and fled the scene.
On January 3, police allege that a Nissan Patrol was stolen from a Dudley property between 2.50am and 4am and driven to the Maitland business.
The vehicle was reversed through the front doors, police will allege, before five people exited and stole two Kawasaki trail bikes.
"It's estimated the damage caused to the front facade and the stolen property was valued in excess of $60,000," NSW Police said in a statement.
Police said the Nissan was found burned out in nearby bush.
Investigators on Thursday made their fifth arrest over the case, charging a 14-year-old Muswellbrook boy with steal motor vehicle and aggravated break, enter and steal. He received conditional bail to face a children's court in February.
It came a day after police issued a 20-year-old man a court attendance notice for five offences including drive motor vehicle while licence suspended, car theft and aggravated break and enter.
He was formally refused bail to face Maitland Local Court in February.
Those charges follow a 15-year-old boy arrested at Aberglasslyn on January 14, and a Telarah 17-year-old and Tenambit 14-year-old arrested earlier this month. All three were charged with break and enter offences to face court later this year.
Police said they are yet to recover the stolen motorcycles.
Port Stephens-Hunter Police District crime manager Detective Inspector Ranald Urquhart, said solving property crime remains a high priority for local police.
"Break and enter offences continue to occur throughout areas such as Rutherford, Aberglasslyn and Maitland, and our local police are continuing to target those crimes," he said.
"These crimes can often be prevented through simple crime prevention tips people can introduce in and around their homes, including security systems, sensor lighting, and keeping all valuables locked inside the home or shed at all times.
"Make sure all doors and windows are locked before leaving your home or leaving your car."
"We will continue to run operations throughout the district - those who choose to continue breaking the law, we will charge you and put you before the courts," Det Insp Urquhart said.