On Jan. 21 at 1 a.m., two inmates escaped from the Rice County Jail Annex, 2119 Highway 60 W., Faribault. The inmates escaped through a window and then climbed a perimeter fence and fled north. About 1:20 a.m., a blue 2003 Chrysler PT Cruiser was reported stolen from 602 Western Ave., Faribault. Two sets of footprints were tracked from the Annex to this location.

About 1:35 a.m. the Minnesota State Patrol found this stolen vehicle heading south on Interstate 35 near mile marker 41 in Owatonna. The vehicle crashed in a rest area near mile marker 35, and the inmates fled into the woods, then stole another vehicle from 2278 78th St. S.W., Owatonna (Summerset Township), and fled south to Steele County Road 3.

The first suspect is Austen Michael Chytracek, 18, of Northfield. He is a Caucasian male, 5-feet-10-inches, 160 pounds, slender build, brown hair w/ bleached highlights on top and blue eyes. He was last observed wearing an orange jump suit. Chytracek was serving a 60-day sentence for criminal sexual conduct.

The second suspect is Austyn Daniel Gates, 18, of Faribault. He is a Caucasian male, 6-feet-1-inch, 170 pounds, slender build, brown hair and blue eyes. He was last observed wearing an orange jump suit. Gates was being held for possession of stolen property and traffic offenses. He also has outstanding warrants from Hennepin County and Carver County for burglary.

About 4:20 a.m., Freeborn County Sheriff’s deputies arrested both men between Heartland and Albert Lea. The vehicle had crashed and the suspects were found near a residence in Freeborn County.

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