The two youths, aged 16 and 17, were arrested by Nowra police in the early hours of Friday morning after the vehicle in which they were travelling was stopped for a random breath test on the Princes Highway at Nowra.

Upon stopping the vehicle, which was being driven by another man, officers recognised the youths, with the 17-year-old from Nowra having a number of outstanding warrants, including one for failing to attend court on a number of serious matters the day before.

Police allege between 12.30am and 12.50am on Friday the youths broke into the Shell Service Station in Queen Street, Berry.

In evidence before the court it was stated they allegedly broke in through a rear door, before breaking open the cash register and cigarette cabinet, stealing cigarettes and money as well as ransacking the business.

The 16-year-old from Bolong was charged with aggravated break and enter and commit a serious indictable offence and with having goods in custody suspected of being stolen.

The 17-year-old from Nowra was also charged with aggravated break and enter and commit a serious indictable offence, with having goods in custody suspected of being stolen and with possessing house breaking implements.

Police allege when they stopped the vehicle they located a number of blue milk crates on the rear seat, next to the 17-year-old, which contained 427 packets of cigarettes.

Police also allegedly located a $50 roll of $2 coins and a $20 role of $1 coins.

A search of the youth also revealed $975 in a soft black sunglasses case, hidden in his pants. 

Two further coin bags containing $900 were also located in the car.

He was also found with a yellow handled screwdriver in his pants.

Police also found a backpack which contained a number of other items, including black gloves and beanies and two black stocking masks.

As he was arrested the 17-year-old allegedly threw away a plastic coin bag containing tax invoices and other documents relating to the Shell Berry.

The youths appeared in Nowra Court before Magistrate Dr Gabriel Fleming on Friday and were refused bail. They will reappear in Nowra Children’s Court on May 28.

The 17-year-old had already been facing a string of driving offences as a 16-year-old.

He was charged with police pursuit not stop drive dangerously, never being licensed and driving an unregistered vehicle following an incident in Quadrant Street, Nowra on February 7 this year.

He was also charged with stalk/intimidate and with never being licenced following alleged incidents on January 4 and 6 this year.

He faces further charges of never being licensed to drive, providing a false name, using an unregistered and uninsured vehicle and with having plates displayed to mislead.

Magistrate Sue Duncombe heard the matters in his absence and found him guilty of the offences.