A 43-year-old man has been charged with burglary after a chance catch by police yesterday morning in Hastings.

A witness alerted police to the man, who was caught at an address collecting items that had fallen from a trailer.

He's alleged to have burgled two Mahora properties on Sunday, and police believe he had other stolen items with him on his property.

Police recovered a trailer, a mountain bike and a large amount of outdoor furniture, which has been returned to the owners.

The man appeared in the Hastings District Court yesterday, and has been remanded in custody without pleas until the 24th of January.