SOUTH VIENNA — Two Columbus men suspected in a smash and grab robbery at a South Vienna Speedway store were apprehended early Friday in Franklin County following a high speed chase.

James L. Chatfield was charged with breaking and entering. His partner, Christopher E. Carter, was charged with driving under suspension, speeding, possession of fictitious registration, failure to comply with order or signal of police a officer and receiving stolen property.

Both were seen in surveillance photographs entering the Speedway at about 1:23 a.m. Wednesday, officials said. After smashing a glass door and taking several hundred dollars worth of cigarettes, they fled in a white SUV.

Early Friday morning Pataskala police ran the plates on a vehicle matching the description of the SUV, which officers discovered were stolen, according to the Clark County Sheriff's office.

A 45 minute chase then ensued, reaching speeds of up to 100 miles per hour through three counties. The vehicle was stopped in the Columbus area.

Chatfield and Carter were being held in the Licking County jail Friday and are suspected in a string of similar incidents in multiple counties.

South Vienna police Chief Pat Sullivan said the two will be charged in Clark County with breaking and entering.

"We got great pictures from Speedway and we put them out for all the agencies and that helped connect them with Perry County and a couple other counties," said Sullivan.

Clark County Sheriff Gene Kelly said Chatfield and Carter are being looked at for another smash and grab case in Moorefield Twp. and a business robbery on Leffel Lane.

"We're also going to review other cases where we've had smash and grabs close to interstates and major highways," Kelly said. "It looks like these guys are travelers."

Contact this reporter at (937) 328-0356 or dmjordan@coxohio.com.