A MAN has been refused bail until at least December, and 14 others have been charged amid a police crackdown on property crime.
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New England police have been battling a rising spike in break-ins to houses and cars, as well as home invasions in Armidale.
They moved on Christopher Dale Williams, three days after he was allegedly behind a home invasion in the city.
He's alleged to have broken into a Beardy Street property just before 9pm on September 29, where two men were inside.
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Police claim the 29-year-old was with three others who were armed with a knife, and damaged property in the home and stole a large sum of cash as well as wallet with bank cards.
Officers then raided a Newton Street property before Williams was arrested at a Dumaresq Street unit within 24 hours.
Williams was refused bail in Tamworth Local Court on a charge of aggravated break-and-enter and commit a serious indictable offence, namely robbery.
Magistrate Mal MacPherson denied his bid for release, instead ordering him to remain in custody until December while police compile the brief of evidence against him.
He's one of 15 charged with 20 offences in a crime crackdown on drugs and property offences across Armidale.
During the nine-day operation, 28 cars were hit by thefts or attempts; eight homes were broken into; three cars were stolen; as well as the same number of motorbikes.
The operation kicked off at the start of the month and involved general duties police, the proactive crime team, general duties, licensing and highway patrol officers.
Police have confirmed all but one of the cars was recovered after it was torched, while a 2011 KTM orange-coloured motorbike is still missing.
"Police have been conducting extensive patrols; we've had police rostered on at different hours, all hours of the night using covert and overt strategies to target offenders," Detective Acting Inspector Matt Crotty told the Express.
"We have searched numerous houses for outstanding offenders who we know are wanted, and we have arrested a number of those who have been returned to prison or put before the court."
Over the weekend, only two break-ins were recorded and an attempted theft from a car - a significant downturn since the start of the month.
"We're closing in on the offenders behind this recent spike," Detective Crotty said.
"Police are working tirelessly to curb this offending and there will be more results in terms of arrests.
"Concerningly, some of these offences occurred where premises and vehicles were not secured, and left unlocked.
"These are opportunistic offences, and we're appealing for members of the public to secure their valuables, home and cars and keep an eye and ear out for anything suspicious."
He said police were "still examining whether there was any links" to a reported home invasion last Thursday morning in Wigan Avenue where a 25-year-old was threatened and had his wallets and ute stolen.