Three boys, including 12-year-old, charged over crime spree across Adelaide

Three boys – one as young as 12 – will face court after an alleged wild rampage across Adelaide with knives and a machete.

Three boys, one as young as 12, have been arrested and charged after a crime spree spanning multiple Adelaide suburbs overnight.

The series of break-ins, robberies and armed hold-ups began in Blackwood just before 1am, when police were called to Waite Street after a person was seen trying to open a window to a home. When he was disturbed, he fled the scene.

About 30 minutes later, a ride-share driver collected three people from Eric Street, Blackwood, and drove them to Glenelg, where he was threatened, robbed and his vehicle stolen. He was not physically injured.

Then, at 2.25am, police were called to the OTR service station on Port Wakefield Road at Paralowie – 33km from Glenelg – after reports two males had entered the servo armed with a machete and demanded cigarettes from an employee.

A police officer with evidence after the three boys were arrested. Picture: 7NEWS

Police officers at one of the homes targeted during crime spree. Picture: 7NEWS

The stolen ride-share car, which was nicked at Glenelg. Picture: 7NEWS

The staff member was not injured, and the two males stole cigarettes and left, last seen running toward Burton Road.

Patrols searched the area but were unable to locate any suspects.

Then, at 3.30am, police rushed to a house at Birmingham Crescent, Craigmore, after witnesses reported hearing people climbing a fence and open a door.

Police quickly found three suspects inside the home, reportedly hiding inside the laundry.

A map showing the extent of the kids' alleged crime spree.

On searching the suspects, police found two knives and a machete and the car keys to the stolen vehicle, which was parked on the street outside the address.

Inside the stolen car, police found the cigarettes and property belonging to the ride-share driver.

Three boys were arrested – two 16-year-olds from Andrews Farm and Aldgate, and a 12-year-old boy from Elizabeth Downs.

They have been charged a range of offences including two counts of serious criminal trespass, two counts of robbery, assaults, illegal use and breach of bail.

They had their bail refused and will appear in the Elizabeth Magistrates Court later on Thursday.

In September, the BP service station at Port Wakefield was robbed in a terrifying hold-up, in which staff members were bound with cable ties.