Five teenagers have been charged following an aggravated break and enter in the state's north.
About 5.40am on Thursday 19 August 2021, police were called to Swanbrook Road, Inverell, following reports a Nissan Navara utility was used to force entry to a business by driving through the front window, before three motorcycles were loaded onto the back.
The store was unattended at the time and was extensively damaged.
Officers attached to New England Police District arrived a short time later and were told a witness had removed the keys from the ignition of the utility, before he was allegedly assaulted by two of the teens.
All five teens then fled the scene on foot.
Following routine checks, the utility was found to have been allegedly stolen from a Queensland address between 10pm on Wednesday 18 August 2021 and 3am on Thursday 19 August 2021.
A crime scene was established, and officers conducted a search of the surrounding area.
A short time later, five teenage boys - aged between 14 and 17 - were arrested in the George Street area and taken to Inverell Police Station.
The four eldest of the group were charged with offences including assault occasioning actual bodily harm in company, be carried in conveyance taken without consent of owner, aggravated break and enter dwelling in company steal, enter inclosed land without lawful excuse and breaching the Public health orders.
They were refused bail to appear before a Children's Court at a later date.
The 14-year-old was released from custody and is to be dealt with under the Young Offender's Act.
As inquiries continue, police are appealing for anyone with information to call Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000.
Anyone with information about this incident is urged to contact Crime Stoppers: 1800 333 000 or https://nsw.crimestoppers.com.au. Information is treated in strict confidence. The public is reminded not to report information via NSW Police social media pages.
