Thirsty thieves break into Ballina cafe Coffee & Kitchen for soft drinks in early hours of Wednesday morning

Destructive thieves seemingly looking to quench their thirst have smashed into a Northern Rivers cafe and made off with just a few soft drinks, in a “high stakes, small rewards” affair.

Thieves have broken their way into a Northern Rivers cafe and made off with just a handful of soft drinks in the early hours.

Owner of East Ballina cafe Coffee & Kitchen Todd Scrimshaw said the bizarre and destructive burglary was a “high stakes, small rewards” affair.

Two men have been captured on CCTV smashing in the front window of the Links Ave coffee shop about 1am on Wednesday.

Mr Scrimshaw said the two men hurled a brick through the window, clambered in and stole just three bottles of Coke and two Fantas.

A man takes a handful of soft drinks.

“It’s quite comical in the big picture,” he said.

Mr Scrimshaw said the damage was inconvenient, but he was not letting the break-and-enter bother him too much.

Owner Todd Scrimshaw outside Coffee & Kitchen. The damage has been an inconvenience, but Mr Scrimshaw says the crime was really “quite comical”.

“It’s not good for small business and all the headaches around it, but I try not to worry about the small stuff,” he said.

“They left their vape and earphones here, so I think they short changed themselves.”

Mr Scrimshaw cordoned off the damaged area of the shop and opened as normal for a busy morning shift on the Wednesday.

NSW Police are on the hunt for the thieves, with an officer taking fingerprints at the scene on Thursday.

No arrests have been made at this stage.

Know more about the burglary? Phone Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000.