Prosecutors today charged two men in connection with the alleged theft of a front-end loader tractor in Pearl City.

Ju Young Woo, 33, and Troy E.K. Griep, 44, are each accused of first-degree theft and are being held in lieu of $50,000 and $25,000 bail, respectively, pending their initial appearance tomorrow at District Court. Both men have criminal records that include three prior convictions.

The pair were arrested Saturday night after the tractor's owner passed on an anonymous tip from a witness to police about the suspects and where the loader could be found. Responding officers allegedly saw Griep operating the loader and arrested him at 8:20 p.m. fronting 794 Lehua Ave.

Investigators said Woo was identified as the suspect who allegedly opened the gate to allow the loader to be driven off a lot.