Two Kansas City, Kan., men were arrested late Friday night in connection with an armed robbery attempt at Taco John’s, 1626 W. 23rd St. — the second such incident in less than a week in south-central Lawrence.

Although no one was injured, employees in the establishment at the time of the robbery were bound by the robbers, according to Lawrence Police Sgt. Paul Fellers.

Both suspects, a 45- and 38-year-old, were being held Saturday in Douglas County Jail on two counts of aggravated robbery, kidnapping and aggravated weapons violations. Police said they also found illegal controlled substances in both men’s possession.

The 45-year-old suspect also was being held on a parole violation for failing to appear in court on an unspecified charge.

Police were dispatched to Taco John’s at 9:35 p.m. Friday, when a patron in the restaurant’s drive-through called police after seeing a dispute between two men and restaurant employees.

“That was extremely beneficial in the conclusion that came about,” Fellers said.

The two suspects were apprehended on foot shortly after the call was made. Police said both were carrying handguns and an undisclosed amount of cash.

Fellers said police were investigating the possibility of a connection between Friday’s attempted robbery and a similar robbery shortly before 10 p.m. Monday at Rex TV, 2800 Iowa.

In both cases, the robbers bound store employees at gunpoint shortly before closing time, then fled with cash. No charges have been filed in the Rex TV robbery.

Taco John’s representatives could not be reached for comment.