NORTHAMPTON - Two 17-year-olds were arrested early Monday morning in connection with vehicle break-ins around downtown and at the Meadowbrook Apartments complex in Florence.

Later in Northampton District Court, Mark E. Jarrett Jr. of 37 Southpoint Drive, Amherst, and Ignacio James Pacheco of 8 King St., Pelham, pleaded innocent to possessing a class C drug (mushrooms), two counts each of larceny under $250 and four each counts of breaking and entering into a motor vehicle at night with felony intent.

Pacheco was also charged with being a minor in possession of alcohol after officers found a "nip" bottle of amaretto in his backpack, police said.

Judge W. Michael Goggins ordered both held on $500 cash bail and continued the case to Oct. 25.

Police said a caller about 3:06 a.m. reported the two using flashlights to peer inside cars parked on Hampton Avenue, outside McDonald House and in the Roundhouse lot. Under questioning, Pacheco admitted acting as "lookout" while Jarrett entered as many as 30 unlocked cars. One of the cars was a city vehicle parked behind the Puchalski Municipal Building, police said. The suspects also took mail from about eight mailboxes, police said.

Items in their possession believed stolen included a DVD player, set of keys, check, Walmart gift card, Swiss Army knife, $4 in change, a makeup kit and five condoms.

Detective Lt. Kenneth Watson said the break-ins are still under investigation, with police trying to identify other cars targeted and link stolen items to their owners.

James F. Lowe can be reached at jlowe@gazettenet.com.