Ballina residents were jolted awake by sirens just after 3am as a wild police pursuit tore through town, capping what police and residents are describing as one of the most disturbing nights of crime in recent memory.

In Ballina and Skennars Head, a gang of up to five offenders is believed to have targeted multiple homes, stealing high-value vehicles and terrifying families in their own houses.

Police and community reports suggest the group may have originated from the Kempsey area, with stolen vehicles later found abandoned in bushland nearby.

Homes targeted, families threatened

In Ballina’s Norton Street, a Porsche sedan was stolen after offenders smashed a side window and accessed house keys kept inside a gated carport.

The owner, Kyla Plummer, later wrote online that the break-in occurred about 1am.

“That’s my car,” she said.

“They broke in the side window and took it from inside a gated carport.”

Shortly afterwards, at about 1.40am, the stolen Porsche was allegedly used in an attempted break-in at a home in Surf Avenue, Skennars Head.

Security footage from the property (main image) shows at least four masked offenders, with the owner later telling Ballina Crime Reports Facebook page that five men were involved.

The group then allegedly moved to nearby Headlands Estate Skennars Head , where a family was threatened inside their home and a BMW X3 stolen.

A neighbour who witnessed the incident said he saw five offenders who fled in both the Porsche and the BMW just before 2am.

The resident said the offenders were carrying long batons.

A family member of the victims later confirmed the BMW belonged to his parents.

“BMW X3 is my parents’ car,” he wrote.

“Hard working nurse and teacher. Saved for ages and now it’s been thrashed and dumped in some bush. This has to be prevented.”

Police later confirmed the BMW was recovered in bushland near Kempsey with minor damage.

Multiple victims, mounting anger

Other residents also reported being targeted during the night.

Richard Brese said offenders went through his home, stealing a wallet and keys.

“They got from the BP at North Ballina to Grafton McDonald’s in one hour and 19 minutes according to transactions on the card,” he wrote.

Ballina Crime Reports administrator Jenny told Ballina News Daily that at least four additional vehicles may have been stolen during the same crime spree.

“This is a total outrage,” Ms Plummer wrote.

“Numerous other hits last night the same. At least four more cars stolen and one home invasion.”

Separate high-speed pursuit through Ballina

Separately, police confirmed a stolen Nissan Navara from Tweed Heads West was involved in a high-speed pursuit that passed through Byron Bay and Ballina just after 3am, with sirens waking large parts of the town.

Police said the utility was stolen from a home on Wyuna Drive about 2.50am.

Officers attached to the Tweed/Byron Police District later sighted the vehicle near Byron Bay and again near Ballina.

Police attempted multiple pursuits but terminated them due to safety concerns.

The vehicle was later found abandoned in Goonellabah about 7.35am and seized for forensic examination.

Police hopeful of arrests

Police say they have good descriptions of the offenders involved in the Ballina and Skennars Head incidents and are hopeful of making early arrests.

Inquiries are continuing across multiple police districts, with forensic examinations underway on recovered vehicles.

Residents have been urged to review CCTV footage, secure vehicles and keys, and report any suspicious activity.