Two Whitefish brothers were arrested Tuesday in connection with a theft ring that began last December.

Colton Donsbach, 20, and Dustin Donsbach, 19, were arrested after Whitefish police officers, who were working a special detail to combat ongoing vehicle break-ins, observed a vehicle drive to the end of Pine Avenue and stop on a dead-end street, according to Police Chief Bill Dial.

Officers approached the vehicle and observed a man exiting a vehicle parked in a driveway. The person — later identified as Dustin Donsbach — fled the scene on foot and disappeared into heavy woods adjacent to the railroad tracks.

Colton Donsbach was found sitting in his vehicle with burglary tools, a purse and numerous other items taken from vehicles earlier in the evening in the Willowbrook area of Whitefish.

Colton Donsbach was arrested at the scene. He told officers the man who fled was his brother, and Dustin surrendered to Whitefish police Tuesday evening.

A search warrant was served at Colton Donsbach’s Whitefish residence that he had been sharing with his brother.

Police recovered evidence from multiple burglaries in Whitefish, Kalispell and the surrounding areas in Flathead County.

A sawed-off shotgun, AK-47 assault rifle, several other firearms, flat-screen televisions, GPS systems, electronic components, tools, digital cameras, computers, smartphones, video games, bikes and a “multitude” of other evidence were recovered, Dial said.

The brothers would cruise neighborhoods throughout the county and use a baseball bat or hammer to smash locked car windows and then would steal the contents, Dial said.

Many of the items that were taken came from unlocked cars. The brothers also are suspects in numerous home and business burglaries.

They are being held on numerous misdemeanor charges. Felony charges are pending review by the Flathead County Attorney, Dial said.

According to police, the theft spree started in December 2010. An estimated $20,000 to $30,000 in stolen items were recovered.

Citizens are encouraged to lock their cars and houses and to remove valuables from their cars to avert break-ins and thefts.

Dial credited “good old-fashioned police work” and tips from community members for the arrests.