Two suspected thieves were shot by a Fort Smith homeowner early Wednesday while breaking into a vehicle in the Rye Hill area of Tennessee Circle.

According to a news release from the Sebastian County Sheriff’s Office, the two suspected thieves were hit in the legs with pellets from a shotgun and are being treated at local hospitals. Their suspected getaway car with bullet holes was found abandoned on Interstate 549, the release adds.

“The resident reported there were people outside and in his vehicle,” Lt. Philip Pevehouse wrote. “The subjects ran and jumped into a vehicle in the roadway. The homeowner fired one shot. The vehicle made a circle and turned again toward the homeowner where the resident stated a shot was fired from the vehicle toward him. The resident fired several more shots toward the vehicle. The vehicle fled the scene.”

The Sheriff’s Office got a call at 6 a.m. from Mercy Hospital Fort Smith reporting a person was brought into the emergency room with a gunshot wound in the leg after being picked up off I-549.

“Deputies went to I-549 and discovered an abandoned car that had bullet holes,” Pevehouse writes. “Nearby the vehicle was also discovered what is believed to be stolen property. The property included electronic devices, guns and tools.”

Investigators were able to develop a second subject from a call, and he was located at a residence in Fort Smith with a gunshot wound in his leg, Pevehouse said. That suspect was taken to Sparks Regional Medical Center for treatment.

A search warrant was obtained for the abandoned vehicle. The investigation and multiple interviews are continuing and no arrests have been made at this point.

Pevehouse said there have been other reports of vehicle break-ins around Rye Hill.