Senior Sergeant Anthony Bond said Dunedin police were called to Milton at 2.30am to assist Balclutha and Milton police after members of the public reported the MotoCafe in Union St was broken into.
Three teenagers, one aged 16 and the other two 18, smashed the front window to enter the building.
In the process of breaking the window one teen suffered substantial injuries to his arm.
MotoCafe owner Steve Scott said the trio tried to take a Kawasaki motorbike in the front window, but it was connected to a stand so it did not go too well for them.
The teens had the bike out on the street but were unable to get the bike off the stand.
The trio damaged two bikes that were beside the Kawasaki in the process.
One of the teens attempted to take a 1300 Yamaha bike inside the store but ‘‘couldn’t handle it.’’
‘‘He obviously couldn’t handle the bike and fell off it and lost his shoe, we found it left behind underneath the bike,
‘‘I think they were drunk and thought they would take a motorbike and go for a ride, but it was a bit harder to pull off than they thought,’’ Mr Scott said.
After the botched burglary, the teens left the scene and were later located at another address after reports of a disturbance involving a machete.
However, after further investigation the machete reports were found to be false and the injuries were from smashing the window, Snr Sgt Bond said.
One of the 18-year-olds was taken to Dunedin Hospital with substantial injuries to his top right forehand and wrist.
He will be charged with burglary after his release from hospital.
The other 18-year-old was taken to the cells and was charged with burglary.
He was due to appear in court today.
The 16-year-old was arrested and released on bail.
