Kevin Bartlett arrived at his Bridge St shopfront on Thursday morning to find the mess after thieves struck sometime on Wednesday night and into the early hours of Thursday.

Three Avanti and three Aspect mountain bikes were taken along with five pairs of riding gloves and a bike light, leaving Mr Bartlett more than $5000 out of pocket.

“There were bars on the back window and then they used a hoe to try and pry the bottom of the bars off the window,” he told The Leader.

“They broke a section of glass and got in and then have taken the bikes.”

The shopfront became a crime scene on Thursday and now the damage bill will climb even higher. 

“It hasn’t happened in this shop, but it is pretty frustrating,” he said.

“The long term costs, I guess the premiums will go up.

“We’ve had more bars put on the window from the inside as well [on Thursday] and it’s just that extra cost.”

Police are investigating the break-in and are urging anyone who witnessed suspicious activity near the Bridge St shop on Wednesday night or early hours of Thursday morning to come forward.

Officers are also appealing for anyone with information on the whereabouts of the stolen mountain bikes to contact Tamworth police on 6768 2999.