SIOUX FALLS — Two people were arrested Friday morning, March 3, after police in Sioux Falls say they were caught in the act of burglarizing a commercial business.
The arrests stem from just before 4 a.m. when officers with the Sioux Falls Police Department responded to a commercial business near the intersection of West Russell Street and North Westport Avenue for a report of a burglary in progress.
According to police Lt. Jason Leach, arriving officers noticed broken windows and could hear people in the distance. Upon spotting the approaching officers, Leach said a group of three suspects took off running.
As backup arrived, authorities arrested Elias Legesse, 32, and Shaeleigh Broken Rope, 21, both of Sioux Falls. Though a third suspect managed to escape, Leach said detectives are working to find them.
Leach said Legesse and Broken Rope were both in possession of stolen property from the business at the time of their arrest. The two were booked into the Minnehaha County Jail and each currently face charges of third-degree burglary, intentional damage of property valuing less than $1,000 and first-degree petty theft of more than $400 in value.
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As of midday Friday, court appearances have not been set for Legesse and Broken Rope. If convicted on all charges, each could be sentenced to serve as many as seven years in jail or prison, pay fines of up to $12,000 and ordered to pay any restitution to any victims.
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