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SMITH COUNTY, Texas (KETK)– Two East Texas men were arrested on Wednesday after they attempted to steal from vehicles in Smith County.

According to the Smith County Sheriff’s Office, at 1:05 a.m., deputies responded to the 11800 block of Bird Point Trail just south of Tyler, where a burglary was in progress involving multiple vehicles.

Deputies began speaking with witnesses who reported that two suspects had begun lifting vehicle door handles in their driveway. The homeowner confronted both suspects, who then ran from the area.

“A suspicious vehicle of interest, a 1994 Dodge 1500 maroon in color, was located in the neighborhood,” officials said. “After observing the video provided by the homeowner, deputies were able to determine that the suspects were attempting unlawful entry into vehicles. They also observed the suspects fleeing on foot westbound on Bearwood Lane. With the assistance of Whitehouse PD, responding personnel set up a perimeter around the area.”

Shortly after, officers located the first suspect near the entrance of the neighborhood off of FM 346, and the second suspect was found hiding in a drainage culvert near the roadway. The suspects were identified as 25-year-old Ardie Lee Rabon and 25-year-old Trea Kaepone Scott, both of Whitehouse.

Rabon and Scott were booked into the Smith County Jail on three counts of attempted burglary of a motor vehicle. Both men posted their $1,500 bond on the same day.

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