Two men have been arrested following a series of vehicle break-ins at an Elkhart apartment complex earlier this week.

According to the Elkhart Police Department, officers responded around 10:53 p.m. Tuesday, March 3, to the Old Farm Apartments in the 3400 block of East Lane after a caller reported two masked individuals attempting to enter vehicles.

The caller told police the suspects were wearing black clothing and ski masks and appeared to be stealing items from parked cars.

When officers arrived, they began searching the area and soon spotted two individuals matching the description hiding behind vehicles. The suspects fled on foot, and one dropped a large bag while running.

Police apprehended one suspect during a foot chase near the 3400 block of East Lane. The second suspect ran into a wooded area but was later located with the help of a K-9 unit and a drone. He was taken into custody without further incident.

During the investigation, officers located a Cadillac CTS parked nearby that was believed to be connected to the suspects. Police reported seeing what appeared to be an AR-style rifle in plain view inside the vehicle, along with wallets, purses and cell phones.

After obtaining a search warrant, officers recovered multiple wallets, identity documents, a passport and other items from the vehicle. The car was later taken to the Elkhart Police Department for further processing by the department’s Crime Scene Unit.

Police also recovered a backpack dropped during the pursuit that contained several identification cards, passports, cologne bottles, jewelry, a handgun and drug paraphernalia. Officers additionally located another person’s identification on one of the suspects during a search.

Authorities say approximately 13 vehicles at the apartment complex were entered during the incident. Only one vehicle showed signs of damage; the others had been left unlocked with valuables inside.

Police identified the suspects as 20-year-old Gavin Ernsberger of Goshen and 21-year-old Isaak Duran of Elkhart.

Ernsberger faces preliminary charges including theft of a firearm, resisting law enforcement and two counts of theft. His bond was set at $75,000.

Duran faces preliminary charges including theft of a firearm, possession of marijuana, resisting law enforcement and possession of paraphernalia. His bond was set at $50,000.

Both men were booked into the Elkhart County Jail, and the case has been forwarded to the Elkhart County Prosecutor’s Office for review of formal charges.

The investigation remains ongoing.

Police are reminding residents to lock their vehicles, take keys and key fobs inside, and keep valuables out of sight or remove them from vehicles overnight.