A boy allegedly tried to enter Ritchies SUPA IGA at Rutherford about 1pm after he had been banned from the store in relation to earlier incidents.

Police said the owner of the store approached the male youth, before the man was punched in the face.

Maitland police were called out to the scene and managed to find and arrest the boy, as well as a girl he was with at the time.

The male youth was charged with trespassing, dealing in the proceeds of crime and assault occasioning actual bodily harm.

He was also charged with shoplifting in relation to an incident at Best and Less Maitland on Thursday, September 26.

In that incident a pair of boys cargo pants worth $12 were stolen from the store.

The female youth was also charged with shoplifting, after $156 worth of cosmetics were thieved from Woolworths at Aberglasslyn on Thursday, September 12.

The boy and girl were both granted bail and are set to face East Maitland Children’s Court in November.

Meanwhile, The Mercury has been informed of other incidents involving youths that have occurred in the Rutherford area recently.

Central Hunter acting crime manager Detective Sergeant Mitch Dubojski encouraged people to report any incidents they may have seen no matter how minor.

He said police resources were allocated based on where the crime is.

Information about any crime can be reported to Crime Stoppers by calling 1800 333 000 or online at https://nsw.crimestoppers.com.au.