Three people were arrested and charged with burglary in the third degree on Wednesday.

Capt. Barry Thomas of the Story County Sheriff’s Office said that James Smith, of Ames, was alerted to a robbery taking place at a residence that he owns but does not live in. Smith drove to the residence and found a vehicle that he believed to be occupied by the alleged burglars.

“He followed the vehicle and came in contact with dispatch to let them know where he was at,” Thomas said. “The sheriff’s office got involved and got the vehicle stopped.”

Smith’s residence at 56750 Lincoln Highway is in rural Ames and is out of the jurisdiction of the Ames Police, which is why the Story County Sheriff’s Office responded.

The vehicle was found on 260th Street southeast of Ames and the three occupants, Robert Gerlach, of Ames, Christine Gerlach, of Ames, and Dewayne Huber, of Ankeny, were arrested and charged with burglary in the third degree.

Thomas said he was “somewhat limited” on the information he could provide because the investigation is still ongoing. He was unable to comment on what had been stolen from Smith’s residence.

The suspects are currently being held in the Story County Jail on $5,000 bond.