SIOUX FALLS — An armed robbery suspect is facing felony charges after he was apprehended by a SWAT team in west-central Sioux Falls.
Meron Behre, 25, of Sioux Falls, was arrested Monday, Dec. 12, on suspicion of first-degree robbery and aggravated assault, the city’s police department announced Tuesday morning, Dec. 13.
Police said the arrest stems from 5:45 p.m. Sunday evening, when a previously unidentified male entered a liquor store near the intersection of West 12th Street and Lyndale Avenue. The suspect pointed a firearm at the store clerk, took cash and left the premises, police said.
Public Information Officer Sam Clemens said surveillance was key to identifying a suspect, as a deputy with the Minnehaha County Sheriff’s Office recognized Behre from the footage.
After having a positive identification of Behre, the Sioux Falls SWAT team was dispatched to Behre’s apartment at approximately 4 p.m. Monday. Clemens said the use of a firearm in the robbery led to an elevated response from police.
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Through the use of SWAT negotiators, authorities were able to compel Behre to surrender. He was taken into custody roughly three-and-a-half hours after police first arrived. The firearm was later determined to be a BB gun.
Behre was charged with a Class 2 and Class 3 felony in connection to the robbery. If convicted, he could be sentenced to serve up to 40 years in prison and pay fines of up to $80,000.
A court appearance has not yet been set.
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