BROOKINGS, S.D. (KELO.com) — Brookings police and the Sheriff’s Department are investigating three incidents they believe are connected. Assistant Police Chief Derrick Powers says it began with a holdup alarm from Cenex Convenience Store on the 3000 block of Lefevre Drive at about 2:20 this morning. The clerk was concerned with a man’s behavior and statements he made about robbing the place. The man stole items as he was leaving the store.
Arriving police saw a vehicle leaving rapidly and tried to stop it. The vehicle fled a short distance, lost control and spun out on the 700 block of 32nd Avenue South. The suspect fled on foot.
Shortly after 4:00 a.m., a rural Aurora resident saw someone driving off in their pickup. At about 6:20 a.m., another rural Aurora resident also reported a stolen pickup. That 1999 Ford F150, gold in color, is still missing.
The first stolen pickup was found, in the ditch, not far from where the second pickup was stolen. Powers says they believe all the incidents are related and they have a suspect. He says if you spot that gold F150, don’t approach it and call the police.
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The Aberdeen Police Department is actively searching for Ronald Dale Elkins, 35, Aberdeen, who has a Brown County warrant.
(this report was contributed by Perry Miller News Director Brookings Radio)
