Acting Dunedin prevention manager detective inspector Steve Kelly said this was a fantastic work by the students involved.
"Their vigilance has helped us to prevent further crime from occurring and we really hope this outcome will bring about a reduction in the number of burglaries in the area.
"We're very grateful for the careful and considered approach these students took in responding to this incident," Kelly said.
"This is a timely reminder that people need to lock their valuables away and secure their home properly when they leave.
If you witness what you might consider to be someone committing a crime, telephone the police immediately like these students did." He said information from the public went a long way to catch criminals.