Stolen property was able to be returned to its owners after a member of the public called police when he spotted students in uniform acting suspiciously.
Rotorua police crime manager Inspector Ed van den Broek said three youths were arrested and were likely to be referred to Youth Aid for their role in a burglary.
Around 12pm yesterday, a man on Westminster Dr, Owhata, saw three youths acting suspiciously.
"He kept an eye on the three youths while he was on the phone to the police," Mr van den Broek said.
"Police arrived a short time later and located the three youths nearby. Police have established they have been involved in a burglary at one address, and an attempted burglary at another address. All the stolen property has now been recovered.