Three youths have been apprehended after a four-hour crime spree in Palmerston, during which a $6000 motorbike was unlawfully taken and nine vehicles were broken into.
Senior Constable Stefan Witehira, of Palmerston, said the incident began at 10pm on Monday and the three youths, aged 14, 15 and 16, had been arrested by 2.30am yesterday.
Nine vehicles were entered, attempts made to get petrol out of them and steering locks and ignition drums broken in attempts to start the vehicles, he said.
A "considerable amount of property", including tools, stereos, speakers and a chainsaw, was taken.
One car was so badly damaged it had to be towed off the main street because it could not be started.
Snr Const Witehira said he was alerted when a commercial business was entered about 1am, the intruders setting off its alarm. A $6000 Kawasaki motorbike, taken from the premises, was found nearby.
A vigilant truck driver informed him one of the youths was hiding nearby, but the other two "had scampered".
He called for backup from Oamaru and Dunedin and the pair were arrested about an hour later.
All the items had been recovered by yesterday afternoon.
The two younger boys had been to referred to youth aid, but police opposed bail for the 16-year-old, who is facing a charge of burglary. He is due to appear in the Oamaru Youth Court next week. Other charges are likely.
The two younger boys were also being spoken to over a spate of thefts from East Otago High School.
