SEASIDE – Police here foiled a two-month crime spree by thieves who whey suspect repeatedly ripped off Safeway stores in Seaside, Astoria and Portland.

Two men were arrested last week – after one tried to report their getaway vehicle had been stolen.

Seaside officers responded to the Seaside Safeway store 5 p.m. Thursday regarding a shoplifting incident which had just occurred.

Responding officers learned two men had left the store – one with a large amount of stolen property. This was later recovered in a 2006 Chrysler 300 parked nearby.

Safeway loss prevention officers had received a flier from the Portland division of Safeway stores regarding organized retail theft by two men who had been stealing from different Safeway stores for some time.

Information from the flier led to the recovery of the vehicle in the Seaside Safeway parking lot by the store’s security staff.

As police searched for the two men, they impounded the Chrysler.

Next came a call from Kevin Williams, 42, of Fairview, who reported his vehicle stolen.

He was arrested and confessed to their ongoing crime spree involving thefts from Safeway stores for the last two months in areas including Portland, Astoria, and Seaside, said Police Chief Bob Gross.

Officers continued their search for the second suspect, concentrating in the core area of Seaside where Williams was first contacted. Then Seaside Police received a 9-1-1 call from the second suspect asking about his friend. The call was traced to the Shilo Inn Ocean Front and led to the arrest of Steven Walker, 47, of Portland.

Gross said both men cooperated during the investigation. They were lodged at the Clatsop County Jail.

Williams is charged with first-degree theft, conspiracy and first-degree criminal trespass, hindering prosecution and Initiating a false report. Walker was charged with first-degree theft and conspiracy.

Property recovered from the vehicle was valued at more than $1,100.