Late this afternoon, Chelmsford Police announced the arrest of two brothers from Vermont connected in a string of break ins and other assorted crimes throughout Chelmsford over the past month, focused specifically in the Westlands.

After an investigation by Chelmsford Police inspector Jeff Blodgett had identified possible suspects, the pair was apprehended by Officer Steve Hawkins on Wednesday.

The younger brother, 17-year-old Tam Mai, has been charged with one count of alleged breaking and entering into a house during the daytime, eight counts of alleged breaking and entering into motor vehicles, five counts of alleged larceny of property, one count of alleged receiving stolen property, six counts of alleged malicious destruction of property, one count of alleged illegal possession of brass knuckles, and one count of alleged illegal possession of a BB gun.

His partner, 23-year-old Thanh Mai, has been charged with one count of alleged breaking and entering into a house during the daytime, one count of alleged attempted breaking and entering into a house, one count of receiving stolen property, seven counts of alleged malicious destruction of property, 13 counts of alleged receiving of stolen property and 13 counts of alleged larceny of property.

According to the release, the pair originally hail from 216 Chaplain St. in Burlington,VT, but are believed to have been homeless during their alleged crime spree here in Chelmsford.

Both brothers were arraigned at Lowell District Court on Thursday morning.

We will have additional information as it becomes available.