A police spokesperson said a resident on Goonoo Goonoo Rd, South Tamworth woke up to noises about 2am.

When he went to investigate he allegedly found a young person trying to steal his motorcycle.

The resident chased the youth on foot and apprehended him before police arrived.

The 17-year-old was taken to Tamworth Police Station and charged with a motor vehicle theft offence.

He was refused bail and will appear in Tamworth Children’s Court on Monday.