The pair did not make it far after burgling Cortado Restaurant in Beckenham, right across the street from the Sydenham police station.

Police had little work to do after a duo allegedly burgled a Christchurch bar – across the street from a police station.

A man and woman allegedly forced entry to Cortado Restaurant on Somerfield St in Beckenham, which is little more than 50 metres from the Sydenham police station, shortly after 4am on Tuesday.

The pair, aged in their 30s, allegedly ran off with the till before jumping into a waiting car.

DON SCOTT/FAIRFAX NZ The Sydenham police station is little more than 50 metres away from Cortado restaurant.

"Police arrived about the same time they left," Senior Sergeant Natasha Rodley​ said.

The pair were located "pretty close by".

"Obviously the alarm has gone off and we got there pretty quickly," Rodley said.

Michelle Joy Tagestad​, 36, and Graeme Richard Brand, 31, appeared in the Christchurch District Court on Tuesday charged with burglary.

Tagestad appeared before Community Magistrate Leigh Langridge and entered no pleas to charges of burglary and driving while forbidden.

Brand appeared later at a case review session where he already faced two charges of theft by petrol drive-offs.

He pleaded guilty to those charges before Judge Gary MacAskill, but entered no pleas on fresh charges of burglary, possession of a screwdriver for burglary, and possession of cannabis.

Both Tagestad and Brand were remanded in custody to appear by video-link from prison on February 9.