Three teenagers who allegedly smashed into the Gray Oval community facility in Palmerston early Sunday morning to steal alcohol have been arrested, with police recovering a wheelie bin from the oval loaded with the teens’ empties at the scene of their arrest.

Police said the break-in occurred around 2:45am, when the suspects allegedly used a hammer and star pickets to force their way inside the grandstand area and caretakers’ facility at the oval. Upon entry, the suspects shattered the security screen door, broke a timber door, smashed multiple windows, and damaged a CCTV monitor, causing significant damage, police said.

The suspects also broke into a drinks fridge and made off with an undisclosed quantity of alcohol.

Police said in a statement Sunday afternoon that they were alerted to the location of the three suspects, aged between 17 and 18, later in the morning, leading to their arrests.

Police also recovered a wheelie bin at the scene of the arrests reported stolen from the oval containing empty alcohol containers, linking it to the crime.

A fourth male, 20, was arrested at the scene due to outstanding, unrelated warrants.

“This is disappointing and senseless offending that has left a community facility damaged and disrupted for the people who use it,” Duty Superintendent Mark Bland said in the statement.

He added that investigations are still underway and that charges are anticipated.

Anyone with information relating to the incident is urged to contact police on 131 444. Anonymous reports can be made through Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000.