A 27-year-old man has appeared before a New England court charged with allegedly stealing cars, assaulting police and damaging property across northwest New South Wales.

New England Police District officers commenced an investigation on Sunday following reports of multiple car thefts between Nambucca Heads and Armidale.

Attempts to arrest the man were unsuccessful on Monday but were able to apprehend the man yesterday at a Brogan St address following a brief struggle where an officer was allegedly assaulted.

The man was charged with several offences including three counts of take and drive conveyance without consent of owner, three counts of destroy or damage property, two counts of hinder or resist police officer in the execution of duty, assault police officer in execution of duty cause actual bodily harm, assault with intent to take/drive motor vehicle, dishonestly obtain property by deception, and negligent driving.

Police will also allege in court the man was involved in a crash on Waterfall Way at Armidale in a stolen Toyota Camry and following the crash, stole a utility that had stopped to assist him following the crash.