A 14-year-old boy has been charged with multiple counts of theft after allegedly stealing more than $21,000 worth of alcohol from various liquor stores across Canberra.

Police allege that between May 24 and September 5 the boy was involved in 36 alcohol thefts at liquor stores in south Canberra, Kaleen and Franklin.

The boy was arrested at a shopping centre in Tuggeranong on October 2.

He has been charged with 18 counts of minor theft and 18 counts of joint commission minor theft.

He faced the ACT Children’s Court on October 3 and was remanded ahead of his next appearance October 20.