Complex sentence: The Hardys are tricked into the house by cries for help, and are trapped for a short time in the attic; meanwhile, their telescope and motorcycles are damaged, possibly by the smugglers.
Split into simpler sentences: The Hardys are tricked into the house by cries for help, and are trapped for a short time in the attic. Meanwhile their telescope and motorcycles are damaged, possibly by the smugglers.