The suspected culprits are allegedly responsible for six car thefts, smashing a windscreen and presenting a knife at a stranger.
There was also a failed attempt at stealing a seventh car, but the pair still managed to create a fair bit of damage.
Kaikorai Valley resident Michael Gooch’s car was parked outside his home on Sunday night when the teenagers attempted to make off with the vehicle.
They cut a hole in the car’s soft-top roof, used ‘‘something’’ to jimmy the lock, but ultimately gave up without getting the car to start.
‘‘I’m actually quite lucky, to be quite honest: there’s not really any damage ... they’ve cut a wee bit of plastic and pulled a bit of plastic off, but it just pops back on.’’
Despite thinking himself a bit luckier than other victims, he is still facing an $850 insurance excess.
He had gone to nearby businesses to see if they could review their CCTV, but was not sure of his chances.
‘‘It seems they’ve targeted us — since my vehicle has a soft roof; it’s quite an easy thing to break into.
‘‘Whether they are quite experienced or they just know it’s an easy option, I don’t know.’’
The pair of youths accused of a city-wide car-stealing spree were caught after allegedly brandishing a weapon at a person in Mosgiel and smashing in a grandmother’s windscreen.
Their campaign of chaos began on Saturday night when they sent a text message to the grandson of a St Clair woman saying they would be heading to his grandmother’s home to smash her car windscreen, Acting Senior Sergeant Iain Notman said.
Just before 5pm on Monday, police were called to a Mosgiel address after two youths approached a member of the public with knife, before fleeing in a vehicle when they noticed police approaching, Snr Sgt Notman said.
Senior Sergeant Brian Benn said the vehicle was dumped in Calton Hill about 6pm.
‘‘Area inquiries were made around Calton Hill with the assistance of the police dog unit, and cordons were put in place,’’ he said.
The pair were located and apprehended in Burnett St about 6.10pm.
Snr Sgt Benn said search efforts began in the afternoon when the youths initially fled police after being spotted driving an allegedly car stolen from South Rd, Caversham.
When signalled to stop, the driver sped off and officers chose not to pursue them.
It was not an isolated incident, Snr Sgt Benn said.
He thanked the public for their assistance in helping police locate the youths.
The pair appeared in Dunedin Youth Court yesterday.
Oranga Tamariki has been advised.
