Two suspected thieves smashed into another vehicle and a pedestrian in Dinkytown on Thursday afternoon, injuring three people, including a University of Minnesota student and staff member, university officials said.

Surveillance cameras caught two suspects rifling through unattended cars parked in a lot on the main campus around 3:30 p.m., the officials said. The suspects fled in a vehicle before police arrived.

In their attempts to escape, the suspects caused two hit-and-run crashes, at the intersections of 5th Street and SE. 15th Avenue and at 5th Street and SE. 12th Avenue, authorities said.

The driver also struck a pedestrian and vehicle at the intersection of 5th Street and 10th Avenue, injuring two passengers. One victim was later identified as a student. The pedestrian is a university employee.

The suspects then fled on foot. Witnesses helped police locate and arrest one suspect several blocks away.

A 39-year-old Minneapolis man was booked into Hennepin County jail, where he's being held without bail pending charges of assault, criminal vehicular operation causing bodily harm and property damage. He was previously convicted of felony drug possession and has a long history of driving infractions.

Authorities are still searching for the second suspect. Surveillance images distributed by police show a woman with black hair running away in a white polka-dot shirt with dark pants and dark shoes.

Anyone with information is asked to call University of Minnesota police at 612-624-2677.

LIZ SAWYER