Orey McMahon and Joseph Mills - also known as Joseph Reid - targeted 150 cigarette lighters during the general store burglary last week.

The duo forced their way into the store in the early hours of last Tuesday.

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It's unclear what the pair had been seeking, but when an alarm activated they became spooked and fled with only the lighters, dropping some on their way out.

Police appealed for help to find the pair, who had their faces covered, and they were arrested and charged on Monday afternoon.

The Wodonga Magistrates Court heard on Thursday that drugs were behind the incident.

Magistrate Ian Watkins said the three days they had spent on remand was a sufficient sentence, coupled with unpaid work.

"Theft and burglary of a small business is a serious offence," he said.

McMahon faced drug-trafficking charges after his arrest.

Lawyer Sally Wilson said he would receive a "very firm please explain" from his boss about his behaviour.

Mr Watkins said he presumed methamphetamine had led to his stint in custody, and McMahon agreed.

"Ice has done a great job of destroying lots of lives in the community," the magistrate said.

"You've got to make sure it doesn't destroy yours."

McMahon was ordered to perform 90 hours of community work and Mills must perform 80 hours.