Police said two men and three boys were involved in a string of break-ins on the tourist strip over a period of almost two weeks.

Service stations, a stationery store, car yards and automotive shops were targeted between November 10 and 21, they said.

A total of 37 break-ins have been linked to the group who have been accused of working together and using stolen vehicles to access some of the businesses.

“It is also alleged implements were used in some of the offences to break glass doors to gain entry,” a police statement said.

At one stage seven service stations were targeted in just over an hour in the early hours of the morning, with doors smashed or rammed by vehicles in a bid to gain entry, police said.

Two men – aged 21 and 18 – will appear in a Gold Coast court from December 13.

Two boys – aged 16 and 17 – will appear in Southport Childrens Court later on Wednesday.

Another 16-year-old has been charged with a number of offences including arson, fraud and unlawful use of a motor vehicle.