Five arrested over SA opals theft

Three men and two boys have been charged after the theft of valuable opals from a motel at Coober Pedy in South Australia's mid-north.

Between 8pm on April 10 and 6.30am the next day, thieves broke into the Comfort Inn Experience Motel and stole opal jewellery and merchandise.

The haul included the valuable Desert Sea Collection of opalised fossil sea shells.

Police on Wednesday said two youths have been arrested after allegedly trying to sell some stolen opals in Coober Pedy on Sunday afternoon.

A search of a number of premises then led to the arrest of three Coober Pedy men, aged 28, 26 and 24, who are charged with aggravated serious criminal trespass and theft.

The boys, aged 16 and 15, are charged with dishonest dealings.

The five will appear in court on later dates.

Police said almost half the stolen items have been recovered.