RUSSELLVILLE — Two local men in jail in connection with the theft of a hot water heater, are also suspects in a number of other recent burglaries throughout Northwest Alabama, officials said.

Ricky Dale Guschke, 56, and Shane Croslin, 25, both of 1444 Franklin 60, Russellville, are each charged with third-degree burglary and third-degree theft of property, Franklin County Sheriff Shannon Oliver said this morning.

Oliver said the two men were taken into custody Thursday after a witness saw them coming out of an empty residence near Cave Hollow Road with the hot water heater.

Area police are also questioning them in a number of residential burglaries.

Investigators said they were going through areas pretending to be tree trimmers and then breaking into residences where no one was at home.