Police are warning residents to lock their houses after a string of home invasions in Hamilton.

Detective Sergeant Mark James, of the Hamilton police crime investigation unit, said a 17-year-old youth had been charged on Wednesday with committing a series of aggravated burglaries.

He will appear in a court for a bail/remand hearing on Thursday.

The investigator said the youth had been trying the rear doors of properties, finding open doors and entering the homes to steal whatever was available.

"These are crimes of opportunity. If People lock their homes, lock their vehicles these crime would not be being committed," he said.

"There was another attempted burglary at a home in Milton Street overnight Wednesday, across the road from where a previous home invasion was committed.

"So there's more than one young person committing these offences.

"Residents are being left extremely frightened after these burglaries but the easiest way to avoid becoming a victim is to secure your property."

Wednesday: A Hamilton teenager has been remanded and linked to at least four aggravated burglaries.

Hamilton police Sergeant Mark Phillips said there had been a series of burglaries in the Hamilton area over the weekend and police arrested a 17-year-old boy on Wednesday morning.

"We took him directly to court where he was remanded for two weeks until a court date," Sergeant Phillips said.

"We've linked him to four burglaries that have been reported but I think there could be a whole lot more.

"There have been people home when he's broken in with a mixture of younger and older residents."

Sergeant Phillips said in one incident the youth was confronted causing him to drop evidence which police are applying to use in court.

"He was finding easy targets, going through unlocked doors and particularly back doors," Sergeant Phillips said. "I think he was literally trying every door until one would open.

"This is a reminder to keep doors and windows locked. Do not give easy options."

Sergeant Phillips is urging anyone with information to call Hamilton Police on 5551 9100.

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