Two teenagers were arrested early yesterday morning after they allegedly stole bicycles from Mather House, threw them over a fence and loaded them into a car on Flagg Street.

Harvard University Police Department (HUPD) spokesperson Steven G. Catalano said officers were sent to Mather House at 2 a.m. when a student reported the crime in progress.

When the first officer reached the scene, the suspects—a 17-year-old male and an 18-year old male—were beginning to drive away with four looted bicycles in the back of their vehicle, Catalano said.

The officer stopped the vehicle and questioned the suspects in the car. Catalano said the individuals’ explanations conflicted with each other.

“When they could not give a reasonable explanation of why they had the bicycles and whose bikes they were, the officers took the bicycles out of the car to inspect them.” Catalano said.

Upon inspection, officers noticed one of the bicycle’s locks was still intact.

After the suspects failed to produce the key to the lock, officers arrested them for theft and ordered their vehicle towed.

All four stolen bikes were recovered and will be returned to their owners as soon as possible, Catalano said.

—Staff writer Hera A. Abbasi can be reached at abbasi@fas.harvard.edu.

—Staff writer Hana R. Alberts can be reached at alberts@fas.harvard.edu.