Officers from Central Hunter Local Area Command have charged a teenager over more than 20 break-ins and larceny-related offences allegedly committed over the past four years.

Police will allege a 17-year-old male was involved in 23 incidents, including numerous break-ins at both residential and commercial properties, between Saturday 5 March 2011 and Sunday 10 May this year.

The break-ins allegedly occurred at a number of different premises in High Street Maitland; as well as Rutherford, Beresfield, Woodberry and Metford.

Following ongoing investigations by Central Hunter police – with assistance from forensic specialists, intelligence analysts and officers from the Target Action Group – a search warrant was executed at a home on New England Highway at Rutherford on Wednesday (20 May 2015) last week.

A 17-year-old male was arrested at the home and taken to Maitland Police Station, where he was later charged with two counts of break, enter and steal as well as receiving stolen property.

He was granted conditional bail to appear before Children’s Court on Friday 12 June 2015.

After further inquiries, the 17-year-old male was arrested at the Rutherford property shortly before 9am today (Tuesday 26 May 2015).

He was taken to Maitland Police Station and charged with the following additional offences:

• Be carried in conveyance taken without consent of owner;

• Larceny (two counts);

• Break, enter and steal (13 counts);

• Break and enter with intent to steal (three counts); and,

• Break, enter and destroy property (two counts).

The male has been refused bail and is now due to appear Children’s Court tomorrow (Wednesday 27 May 2015).