MANCHESTER — Two inmates who broke out of the Rice County Jail early this morning were arrested near Manchester after a pursuit by area law enforcement. 

The men, Austyn Gates, 18, of Faribault and Austen Chytracek, 18, of Northfield reportedly escaped through a window at about 1:05 a.m. today and climbed a nearby fence at the Rice County Jail in Faribault. They then reportedly stole a 2003 Chrysler PT Cruiser at about 1:19 a.m. from 602 Western Ave. in Faribault, according to a Rice County Sheriff’s Office news release.

Officials found two sets of footprints from the jail annex to the vehicle.

At 1:36 a.m. the Minnesota State Patrol found the vehicle southbound on Interstate 35 in Owatonna. After a short pursuit, the vehicle crashed at the rest area near mile marker 35, and the men reportedly fled into the woods.

The men later allegedly stole a 2003 Mercury Sable from 2278 78th St. SW in Owatonna and fled southbound on Steele County Road 3.

Freeborn County Sheriff’s Office deputies ultimately arrested the two men at 4:22 a.m. at 71997 263rd St. They had reportedly crashed the vehicle, and the men were near the residence there.

The news release stated Chytracek was serving a 60-day sentence for criminal sexual conduct.

Gates was being held for possession of stolen property and traffic offenses. He also has outstanding warrants in Hennepin and Carver counties for burglaries.