TWO men have been arrested after a lengthy investigation into vandalism at a Hunter retirement village, graffiti at a shopping centre, and thefts.
A 19-year-old man and a 20-year-old man are accused of causing thousands of dollars worth of damage to Huntlee Shopping Centre and a North Rothbury aged community in a string of incidents spanning weeks.
Police were first called on June 24 after reports a shop had been broken into overnight at Huntlee and various items stolen.
Officers were alerted on July 13 to reports of a retirement village in North Rothbury had been vandalised with graffiti and fire extinguishers had been discharged throughout the property during the night.
The next day, police were contacted again and told several stores, premises and walls at Huntlee Shopping Centre had been tagged with graffiti, causing thousands of dollars worth of damage.
Officers were contacted on August 7 after reports a shop had been broken into overnight at Huntlee and the offenders had made off with a number of items.
Police, backed by Huntlee Shopping Centre's security team, launched an investigation into the alleged property crime spree.
Hunter Valley detectives raided a North Rothbury home on Tuesday in connection with the investigation, and arrested two men inside.
They were taken to Singleton Police Station and charged with a string of allegations.
The 19-year-old man faces malicious damage and graffiti charges, and two counts of break and enter and steal.
He was refused bail to front Singleton Local Court on Wednesday.
The 20-year-old man was charged with an aggravated graffiti offence, malicious damage, and concealing a serious offence.
He was granted strict bail by police to front court on September 19.
People have been encouraged to report all property crime to the NSW Police force's online portal.
