Two Gig Harbor men were captured Aug. 23 by Port Orchard Police after they led a high-speed chase through Port Orchard with a van holding fishing gear worth thousands of dollars.

Ricky Ray Rogers and Nathan Wayne Spaulding reportedly entered a Bay Street storage unit early Sunday morning and removed fishing gear with an estimated value of up to $10,000. The items, owned by charter boat operator Randy Jones of Venture Charters of Port Orchard, were identified as fishing rods and reels, as well as other fishing items. Just as the pair were departing the storage unit, Jones approached one of the men, who fled to a white van. Jones followed the men through town, who were driving at a high rate of speed. Port Orchard Police joined the pursuit after Jones called 911.

Kitsap County Sheriff’s Office deputies also joined the chase to track down the suspects. As the van neared Bremerton National Airport, its tires hit a curb and caused them to deflate. Sparks from the tire rims caused the van to erupt in flames.

Port Orchard Police spokesman Dale Schuster said one of the men tossed some of the stolen gear from the van during the pursuit. “It’s a good thing no one was hurt” during the chase, Schuster said.

The men were apprehended by police at Highway 3 and Lake Flora Road. While most of the fishing gear was destroyed in the fire, some items tossed during the pursuit have yet to be found. Anyone who may have the fishing gear are asked to call Port Orchard Police at 360-876-1700.

The two men have been booked into Kitsap County Jail on burglary charges and eluding police.