It's alleged about 4.20am on December 15, two people forced entry to a store on High Street, Wauchope, and stole a side-by-side ATV buggy.

One of the males then put a motorcycle into the ute tray, before both fled the scene.

A short time later, an off-duty officer travelling to work along the Oxley Highway at Huntingdon observed the ATV buggy stopped to the side of the road before the rider fled into nearby bushland.

Responding officers from the Mid North Coast Police District stopped a Mazda ute on the Oxley Highway, where they arrested a 17-year-old teen.

Both the ute and the motorcycle were seized for forensic examination.

The Taree teen was charged with aggravated break enter dwelling in company and drive while unlicensed.

He was refused bail to appear at a children's court, where he was granted conditional bail to reappear on Thursday, February 10, 2022.

Police are continuing inquiries to identify and locate the second offender, anyone with information is urged to contact Port Macquarie Police or Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000.

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