The 17 and 23-year-old were in custody in Armidale Police Station on Wednesday night charged with a string of offences including robbery, affray and assault with intent to rob.

The pair are accused of trying to smash their way into a home, then allegedly using a knife to try and rob two men at a shopping centre before allegedly robbing a man of his phone – all within the space of about half-an-hour.

“All three incidents were serious and involved violence or a weapon,” New England Inspector Chris McKinnon told The Leader.

​”Due to the seriousness of the offences, this was a priority for the local police and culminated in quick arrests.”

In a coordinated operation, Armidale detectives, backed by police from the Target Action Group (TAG), arrested the pair about 10.30am on Wednesday at two houses in Armidale following investigations into several incidents on Sunday night.

The juvenile and adult are facing charges of affray and malicious damage in relation to an incident about 7.30pm at a Curtis St house on Sunday when two people were inside.

“No entry was gained and nothing was stolen, but police allege the offenders smashed windows,” Inspector McKinnon said.

“Police allege the three offenders then went to a shopping centre on Rockvale Rd and approached two males and brandished a knife and demanded property.

“No property was gained and the offenders left.”

From there, police allege the pair then walked down Rockvale Rd and allegedly robbed a teenager of his mobile phone near the intersection of Erskine and Marsh Streets.

“Police would be seeking witnesses who may have seen the males at the time in the Rockvale Rd area,” Inspector McKinnon said. “Police believe they crossed in front of a number of cars to approach the third victim.”

Police are still hunting a third offender.

“The incidents were very concerning and are out of the ordinary for Armidale,” New England Superintendent Fred Trench said.

“Although we have had a number of these incidents of recent times, it is very pleasing we’ve been able to make a number of arrests and put offenders before the courts.”