Mani Quinlan and 17-year-old male charged with break-and-enter offences after arrests in Mann Street and Chapel Street

The 17-year-old and 20-year-old Mani Quinlan are facing a combined 15 break-in and theft offences and both lost their bids for bail in court on Thursday.

Police closed in on one of the accused in the backyard of a Mann Street home about 3.30pm on Wednesday, before officers from the Armidale Target Action Group (TAG) moved again shortly after.

"This arrest was as a result of some forensic evidence that was identified at a number of crime scenes," Armidale officer-in-charge Inspector David Cooper told the Leader.

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"The other male was arrested a short time later in Chapel Street, Armidale after being identified including on CCTV at a crime scene."

Mani Quinlan is accused of break-and-enter with intent to steal; committing a S114 offence having a previous conviction; as well as two counts each of damaging property, larceny and trespassing.

The 17-year-old, who cannot be identified because he is a juvenile, is accused of three counts of entering a building or land with intent to commit an indictable offence; as well as two charges each of damaging property and larceny.

The pair appeared in Inverell court but were not required to enter pleas. Magistrate Holly Kemp refused their bail applications and ordered them into custody, where they will remain until the cases return to court in Armidale later this month.

Inspector Cooper said police had ramped up operations in the wake of a property crime spike in recent weeks.

"Information from the community, and reviewing CCTV as well as forensic evidence all played a crucial role in identifying these individuals," he said.

"In direct response to an identified spike in property offences, we've initiated some increased policing strategies using covert police, our uniformed officers and our new police dogs.

"Now, we are starting to make inroads and we're seeing the fruits of those particular operations.

"But we're not going to take our foot off the pedal, we will continue to keep the pressure on offenders with various strategies, as well as increased patrols and bail checks.

"Police would continually urge residents to be mindful of their security, don't make it easy for opportunistic crime so ensure you lock your cars and properties, secure your valuables and remove them from view."

Inspector Cooper said investigations are continuing into any links to other offences.

The arrests come less than a week after a juvenile and man were arrested in a dramatic police chase in Armidale last week.

Both remain in custody, bail refused.