BAKERSFIELD -- Federal agents have arrested two men -- and they're hoping to arrest a third -- after an undercover operation in which they said the men sold secret defense information and equipment and shipped it to Yemen.

Amen Ahmed Ali, 56, of Bakersfield and Ibrahim Omer, 40, of Forth Worth, Texas, have been arrested. Mohamed Al-Rahimi, 62, of Bakersfield remains on the loose, authorities said.

Officials said the men sold sensitive military equipment -- including night vision goggles, chemical suits, and body armor -- and shipped the items to Yemen between 2003 and 2004.

The men are also suspected of sending secret defense information.

Amen Ahmed Ali is a 30-year resident of Bakersfield. Ibrahim Omer used to live in Bakersfield but currently resides in Fort Worth, Texas. Mohamed Al-Rahimi lives in Bakersfield.

The destination for the information and technology -- Yemen -- is where all three men were born before becoming naturalized U.S. citizens.

The investigation into their activities began three years ago and involved a federal agent this past year.

Ali was arrested shortly after noon inside his store "Cigarettes World" on Rosedale Hwy. Neighboring businesses heard yelling and commotion when agents entered the business.

Several hours later FBI agents left the store with computers and several boxes of documents.

Those who frequent the business were shocked by Thursday's raid and charges.

One patron said, "I was shocked because if you do go in there, they're very nice people. I'm not condoning what they did, they were very nice to me -- and their children were very nice, very good kids."

Neighbors living near Ali's home on Panorama Drive were also shocked as federal agents conducted their search.

A neighbor of Ali said, "They were very friendly, I had no reason to believe they were doing anything wrong. This comes as a total shock to me."

The Sheriff's Department also revealed their involvement in the investigation with the FBI and other agencies.

Sheriff Mack Wimbish said Thursday, "We've had men assigned to this for over two years, working with FBI locally and other places as well... [they've put in] a lot of man hours."