BROOKINGS, SD – Police arrested three people on 35 counts each of cruelty to animals after 35 animals were found living in hazardous conditions in Brookings.
Officers executed a search warrant Friday at the home located in the 900 block of Tumbleweed Drive after neighbors complained of foul smells coming from the property and were concerned about the number of dogs living there.
Police said in a news release that Debra Schulte, 57, Jordan Schulte, 26, and Brandon Schulte, 28, were arrested and each charged with 35 counts of cruelty to animals, which is a class 6 felony. They were booked into the Brookings County Jail.
Thirty-one dogs and four cats have been removed from the home and are under the care of area shelters.
Police said several unsuccessful attempts were made to check on the welfare of the animals before the search warrant was obtained.
RAPID CITY, SD – Two persons were charged with first degree murder in connection to the death of male this morning in northeastern Rapid City, police said.
Jacob Jumping Eagle, 29, and Craig Returns From Scout, 28, were arrested and charged, Rapid City Police said. The victim was found dead from assault wounds in an alleyway behind the 100 block of East Boulevard North.
The incident continues to be under investigation.
BROOKINGS, SD – Authorities responded to an emergency call on Thursday to a business in the northern part of Brookings which resulted in the discovery of a scam involving a suspect posing as a law enforcement officer.
According to the Brookings Police Department, around 11:00 p.m., a manager reported an employee had taken cash from their business. The employee’s vehicle was found traveling near the 700 block of 8th Street South. When the officer stopped the employee, a bank bag with a large amount of money was discovered in the vehicle.
The employee was on the phone with an individual who claimed to be with the South Dakota State Police. An officer spoke on the phone with the individual, who claimed to be a lieutenant conducting a sting operation. It was determined the individual was not associated with any law enforcement agency and was orchestrating a scam.
The caller contacted the employee via the business line at their work and claimed to need the employee’s help retrieving stolen money. The caller told the employee not to tell any other employees about the operation and to call back on their personal cell. The caller then instructed the employee to take the cash, drive to Hy-Vee, and load MoneyLink cards with the money.
“Do not give anyone any personal information, account information, or purchase any type of money card, or gift card if requested to do so over the telephone,” said Adam Smith, a detective with the Brookings Police Criminal Investigation Division. “The Brookings Police Department, or any law enforcement agency for that matter, will ever contact anyone by telephone and ask for personal (or) account information, or payment of any kind to assist with police activities.”
The investigation into the caller and their location is ongoing. The total amount of money lost as a result of the scam was around $1,200.
SIOUX FALLS, SD – AAA is set to launch a new roadside assistance feature that will be accessible via satellite for iPhone 14 and newer models, regardless of cell or WiFi service availability.
This technology aims to provide help to stranded motorists in remote or low-coverage areas.
AAA representatives emphasize that you don’t need to be a AAA member to use this service, and it builds on the emergency SOS via satellite feature introduced by Apple in 2022.
While the service extends nationwide, it does require access to a serviceable road for assistance vehicles to reach the user.
The service is scheduled to go live on September 22 across the United States and Puerto Rico.
