A new SUV was stolen and multiple other vehicles were entered early Wednesday morning in Waterloo, after which the suspects fled north at a high rate of speed and escaped capture for the time being.

At about 1:15 a.m., Waterloo, Monroe County, Columbia and Dupo police agencies were alerted to two dark-colored SUVs wanted in connection with possible vehicle break-ins that were seen fleeing at a high rate of speed north on Route 3 out of Waterloo.

The SUVs were clocked at speeds exceeding 100 miles per hour as they continued north on Route 3 through Columbia.

The suspect vehicles are a blue 2018 Ford Explorer and dark green 2022 Volkswagen Atlas. With the Explorer trailing, both continued toward I-255 northbound but spike strips deflated one of the Explorer’s tires. Both vehicles stopped in the area of I-255 northbound near the George Weber auto dealership, after which occupants from the Explorer entered the Atlas and the Atlas continued north into St. Clair County. It was last seen taking Exit 10 to Route 3 north.

The unoccupied Explorer that was left behind returned stolen out Missouri. Waterloo police learned at about 6:45 a.m. that the Atlas was reported stolen from a property on Mueller Lane. Vehicle break-ins were also reported in the areas of Columbia Avenue, North Library Street and First Street in Waterloo.

All of the victimized vehicles were unlocked, police said, and the key to the Atlas was left inside.

Anyone with information on these incidents is asked to call Waterloo police at 618-939-3377.