A series of break-ins at the Crowne Plaza resort near Cessnock has rocked guests at the Jack Newton Celebrity Classic golf tournament.
Thieves stole then burnt out a black Mercedes from the Crowne Plaza Hunter Valley on Monday night while guests at the annual charity event gathered for welcome drinks.
The Newcastle Herald has been told several professional players returned to their rooms about midnight to discover their belongings had been ransacked and wallets and laptops stolen.
Police said the thieves had broken into several villas between 7 and 10pm on Monday, stealing jewellery and computer equipment.
The 2012 Mercedes sedan was found burnt out at Kearsley, about 12 kilometres away.
Police said the thefts appeared "opportunistic".
Forensics officers had been on the scene, and a target action group had been speaking to the victims.
The event's guest list this year includes sport stars Wally Lewis, Wendell Sailor and Rodney Hogg and entertainers Shannon Noll and Wilbur Wilde.
