Five men assaulted after arranging to meet a person online in NSW

Five men were admitted to hospital after allegedly being assaulted, when meeting what they thought would be a person they had been talking to online, in Ballina, New South Wales.

The men, aged 77, 58, 53, 50 and 27, were all allegedly assaulted and robbed by a group of teenagers in Evans Head, in five separate incidents over the last two weeks.

After establishing the individual assaults were allegedly linked, NSW Police arrested and charged a 16-year-old boy and three 17-year-old boys.

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A white ute was seized during a search at a property along the Pacific Highway at Broadwater.

Police allege they found illegal drugs and the goods stolen during the assaults, while searching properties along the state's north coast.

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All four teens were refused bail in children's court over the last two days.

Anyone with any information is urged to contact crimestoppers on 1800 333 000.