An elderly couple was targeted by a trio of youths in Cessnock after they attempted to stop the group vandalizing shopfronts.
A 64 year old man and his wife saw the teenagers stealing signs from a local restaurant and kicking at shop doors and windows.
The man tried to confront the youths, who proceeded to hit the man and his wife before making off with the lady's purse.
The trio consisted of two teenage girls and one boy all between 15 and 16 years of age. The girls were described as having dark hair, with the boy was described as having bleached blonde hair and a rats tail.
