Two 51 year old Calgary men are facing charges following an early morning theft from Ward Tires in the Town's Southeast.

Police responded to the call just after 3 A.M. Tuesday morning and found a pick-up truck leaving the scene, with several tires in the box.

Mounties stopped the vehicle and arrested the two men with a number of tires they say are worth $5,200.

High River RCMP Sergeant Brent Hawker says it's not uncommon for businesses close to the highway to be targets for robbery.

"We're obviously fairly close to Calgary. Not that all these incidents involve people from Calgary, but given the time of year it's not uncommon for people to travel a distance. Commit a theft or some either kind of crime and then return to where they live."

Hawker says sometimes criminals can disappear easier in a big city like Calgary than they could if it was locals looking to do the same type of crime.

The pair have been charged with theft over $5,000 and possession of stolen property over $5,000.

They'll make their first appearance in Okotoks Provincial Court Friday, January 15.