Police said the youths had targeted the Alpine Motorcycle Shop in Myrtle Street at about 3am where it is believed a jemmy bar was used to force entry to the store.

Damage was caused to the front doors, activating the alarm which notified the owners and police.

The five offenders fled the scene, but were spotted heading out of Myrtleford on foot by several truck drivers and workers from the local mill who had been travelling along the main street and had called police.

Detective Leading Sen- Constable Jason Bray said while the youths were unable to take anything from the Myrtleford store, they may have used a stolen vehicle to get to Myrtleford.

“They were arrested and police further searched the area and found an abandoned silver Ford sedan a short distance from the motorcycle shop,” he said.

“The sedan had stolen number plates attached to it and we are investigating whether the vehicle was stolen.”

The youths are from Albury and Wodonga and are aged from 14 to 17.

Police also interviewed them in relation to outstanding break-ins in Albury and Wodonga.

Sen-Constable Bray said while it was unclear why motorcycle stores had been targeted, the stolen property may be in demand or easy to fence.

Leading Sen-Constable Bernard Murphy said the youths would face charges of attempted burglary and handle stolen goods as well as traffic matters in relation to the unregistered car and not holding licences.

“All the boys will attend court on October 17 but have been bailed until then,” he said.

“At least two or three will be looking at further charges for offences that took place in a five-day spree prior to this incident, where we believe they may have been involved with similar offences.”