Two people have been arrested in connection with burglaries in Brookings as well as Brandon and Elk Point.
The Brookings burglaries occurred on November 11th. Video surveillance from local community members showed a maroon SUV was likely involved.
The suspects also used credit cards in Minnesota that were stolen in the burglaries. Mall of America and Bloomington, MN police were able to identify the vehicle and license plate number.
On Tuesday, November 22nd, the South Dakota Highway Patrol arrested 18-year-old Dakota Durrani of Sioux Falls driving the SUV used in the burglaries. He was arrested for an outstanding Florida warrant.
On Wednesday, November 30th, the Minnehaha County Warrant Task Force arrested 24-year-old Mitchell Arevalo at his mother’s residence in Sioux Falls. He’s from California. A search warrant was executed at that residence by the Brookings , Brandon, Elk Point and Sioux Falls Police Departments. Stolen proeprty was recovered.
According to Brookings Police Detective Adam Smith, interviews were conducted with the two and both confessed to their involvement in the burglaries. In Brookings, it involves burglaries of three residences and two motor vehicles.
Durrani and Arevalo are currently in custody at the Minnehaha County Jail. They’ll be facing multiple charges including 1st-degree burglary, 3rd-degree burglary, identity theft, aggravated criminal entry of a motor vehicle, possession of stolen property, grand theft, and criminal entry of motor vehicles.