Two teenage boys and a man have been charged with murdering a 51-year-old man on the NSW South Coast more than a year ago, in what police say was a robbery gone wrong.

Michael Kerr was found with critical stab wounds on a Nowra street just before 4.20am on January 4, 2022 and died in hospital a short time later.

Police believe the trio were trying to steal Mr Kerr’s mobile phone and his cash when he was stabbed.

Strike Force Lodder detectives arrested two 17-year-old boys at Penrith Police Station on Tuesday.

They are facing a string of charges including: murder, aggravated robbery with wounding, grievous bodily harm, and attempted robbery in company.

They were remanded in custody and appeared at a children’s court on Wednesday, where they were formally refused bail and will next appear on March 23.

On Wednesday Homicide Squad detectives – along with Raptor Squad officers – raided a home in Warilla, south of Wollongong, and arrested a 22-year-old man.

He was taken to Lake Illawarra Police Station and charged with numerous offences including: murder, aggravated robbery with wounding/grievous bodily harm and attempted robbery in company.

He was refused bail to appear at Wollongong Local Court on Thursday.