Austin police officers arrested two suspects who may have collaborated in stealing two vehicles earlier this week.

Dylan Leeper, 18, and Nethaniel Tusen, 19, are in Mower County Jail for the two alleged thefts that happened on Monday and Tuesday.

Police responded to a report of a stolen Dodge Durango at the 1300 block of Second Ave. SW on the morning of Monday, Nov. 21. The officer later found the vehicle parked at the 300 block of 12th St. SE and returned it to the owner at about 4 p.m. the same day.

Police then responded to a reported stolen Lincoln sedan at about 10:40 p.m. on Tuesday at the 200 block of First Ave. SW. The owner said the vehicle was left running outside, but upon returning, it was gone.

According to Austin police Capt. Dave McKichan, officers found the vehicle roughly 45 minutes later at the 300 block of 27th St. SW, near Bremerton Apartments, where they questioned Leeper and Tusen. The two reportedly had differing stories. Upon questioning, police found the keys to the Lincoln underneath a car. They also searched a nearby dumpster and discovered two purses, along with the keys to the Durango that was stolen the previous day.

According to McKichan, Leeper was also charged with vehicle theft on Nov. 1, but those charges were dropped.

Leeper and Tusen remain in Mower County jail pending formal charges.