ORANGE COUNTY, Fla. -- Two suspects, one who is only 17-years-old, were arrested in connection with four crimes, including two home invasion/rape cases, the Orange County Sheriff's Office announced Wednesday.

Detectives had been running into dead ends until a tip lead them to 17-year-old Patrick Maxwell. The tip, from woman in Tampa facing unrelated charges, connected the pair to four attacks on women in Orlando. The woman said she knew Maxwell and Thomas were responsible.

Investigators said the tipster described them as cousins and said she actually let them borrow her car while she was in Central Florida visiting. She even remembered them returning with stolen laptops and cell phones and said she was certain they had been robbing people because they talked about it.

"With the detail she provided, there was no way she could've been talking about another case," said Detective Jason McMullen, Orange County Sheriff's Office.

Investigators say Maxwell confessed and named 23-year-old Timothy Thomas as his accomplice and insists Thomas was the one calling the shots and committing the sexual assaults. Now, investigators have linked the pair to three other violent robberies in Orlando.

"One would have a mask on, the other one wouldn't. Basic general descriptions matched. How the crimes were committed were similar enough, we kind of linked them together," said Det. Jason McMullen, Orange County Sheriff's Office.

On January 28, Thomas and Maxwell are accused of entering an apartment in the 2000 block of Robert Trent Jones Drive in Orlando and fleeing after stealing property. The suspects are also accused of an attempted rape during that crime, but details were not released.

On February 20, Thomas and Maxwell are accused of entering a home on Shelter Rock Road in Orange County through an open garage door. Investigators say both suspects were armed and restrained the victim inside with zip ties. That victim was raped, according to investigators, by Thomas. The victim's boyfriend arrived during the crime and was subsequently restrained with zip ties, as well. The suspects are accused of then fleeing with several electronic items (read previous report).

On March 15, a woman was returning to her home on Bamboo Court in Orlando when she was approached by two males armed with firearms. Investigators say Thomas and Maxwell demanded money, but fled before getting anything.

Finally, on March 21, investigators say Thomas and Maxwell entered a unit at Summit Apartments in Orlando through an open window, removed several items from the home and Thomas allegedly committed sexual battery on the two female victims inside (read previous report).

Deputies arrested Maxwell once he confessed. They say Thomas was already in jail on drugs and gun charges.

For the February crime in Orange County, Maxwell is facing a charge of home invasion robbery, while Thomas is facing charges of home invasion robbery and sexual battery. The suspects are facing additional charges for the three Orlando crimes.