The boys, aged 16 and 17, were charged on Friday with committing aggravated break and enters.

A police investigation was established after a spate of break-ins on homes and businesses in the town that stemmed back to June 10.

It is alleged the teenagers broke into the take-away shop, bakery, hairdressers and the memorial hall as well as a number of homes.

Power tools, remote controlled cars, flags, fuel, charity tins containing cash donations were allegedly stolen and recovered in the possession of the teenagers.

One of the teenagers was also charged with breaking into Bowral High School.

A police spokesman credits the break through and subsequent arrests to the commitment of police officers and the assistance of locals.

Goulburn Local Area Command Inspector Hamish East said there had been a lot of pressure on police to curb the recent spike in crime at Hill Top and to bring those responsible to justice.

“Officers, including detectives and general duty police, have worked extremely hard, staging covert investigations and interviewing local people in relation to the offences.”

For the full story see the Southern Highland News, Monday, June 30