Three people are now in custody facing burglary charges after the RCPD has observed an elevated number of burglaries affecting a northern Rapid City neighborhood.
Since October 1st, 2020, the RCPD has investigated more than 40 burglary cases affecting the neighborhood that includes residences on Space Avenue, Galaxy Drive, Minuteman Drive, and N. 7th Street. These burglaries include both residential and vehicle burglaries.
In response, the RCPD stood up a burglary task force in December to specifically address burglaries in this neighborhood. In the time since, officers have been specifically assigned to this neighborhood to monitor suspicious activity related to the burglaries.
At around 9:45 p.m. on January 7th, police were dispatched to a home in the 1500 block of Space Avenue for a report of a burglary in progress. It was reported that a resident of the neighborhood had encountered an unknown male on a bicycle attempting to gain access to a neighboring yard. The resident was ordering the suspect to stay put. In the meantime, a neighbor exited their residence with a rifle. The armed resident attempted to detain the unknown male suspect at gunpoint. Shortly before police arrived, the male suspect fled from the scene on foot. Police engaged in a foot pursuit. A short time later, police observed several individuals holding the male suspect on the ground outside a residence in the 1600 block of Space Avenue. The suspect was placed into handcuffs and identified as 21-year-old Cody Winstead of Rapid City. A search of his person turned up tools associated with burglary. It was also determined the bike that Winstead was in possession of had earlier been reported stolen from the neighborhood. Winstead was placed under arrest for Possession of Burglary Tools, Receiving Stolen Property, and an existing Warrant.
A search warrant was written for Winstead’s residence at 600 Lindbergh Avenue. During the execution of this warrant, two individuals were located inside. They were identified as 22-year-old Thomas Richards Steel and 19-year-old Kelly Longman, both of Rapid City. They were placed under arrest for existing Warrants.
The search of the residence turned up numerous items previously stolen from the neighborhood over the course of the last several weeks. The investigation into the string of burglaries is active and ongoing, and the RCPD anticipates that additional charges for the three offenders are forthcoming.
* The charges are merely accusations and the arrested individual is presumed innocent until proven guilty. Any additional details regarding this case can be obtained from the Pennington County State’s Attorney and/or court records as appropriate.