AZUSA — Police arrested two local men Sunday on suspicion of hurling potatoes at parked cars during a three-week vandalism spree, authorities said.

Charles Maciel and Michael Espinosa, both 20, were booked on suspicion of felony vandalism, Azusa police Sgt. Andy Sutcliffe said in a written statement.

Residents of the 1300 blocks of N. San Gabriel and Dalton avenues called police about 12:30 a.m. to report their cars had been damaged by vandals throwing potatoes, the sergeant said.

Officers found Maciel and Espinosa inside a white, 1993 Plymouth van parked near 11th Street and Holmar Avenue, Sutcliffe said.

“Both Maciel and Espinosa admitted to officers they had been throwing potatoes at parked vehicles in the north end of Azusa every Saturday night since January 1st,” he said.

Both men work at the same San Dimas steakhouse, Lt. Mike Bertelsen said, and told police they had been taking leftover potatoes from the restaurant just to throw at cars.

About half a dozen other cars were hit in the vandalisms, and the damage was initially estimated to be worth more than $2,000. The damage included broken windows, broken mirrors and dented fenders.

At least one previous victim reported the potato vandals had been in an older-model white van.

Bertelsen said Maciel and Espinosa were cited out of jail as they await a court date.