ABERDEEN, S.D.(Aberdeen American News)- One person is in police custody, and authorities are looking for a second person in connection to a recent string of storage unit burglaries.
According to a news release from the Aberdeen Police Department, one person was arrested Monday evening in connection to thefts from more than 20 storage units. According to court documents, DeWayne Ross, 32, of Aberdeen is facing 24 counts of felony burglary and one misdemeanor charge of possession of stolen property in connection to storage unit thefts on Dec. 18. He made his initial appearance in court on Wednesday.
Police are looking still for Taylor Hauge, 28, of Aberdeen, according to the release. Anyone with information about Hauge is asked to call Brown County Communications Center at 605-626-7911.
Police Capt. Tanner Jondahl said the police received the first reports of storage unit burglaries the weekend of Dec. 18-19. One of the storage unit facilities was in town, the other was outside the city limits. According to court documents, all of Ross’ charges are in connection to thefts from storage units in the 1100 block of Olive Drive.
Anyone who believes they had items stolen should file a report with the police department. Jondahl said officers are unable recover stolen property if it has not been reported.
Those with items in storage units are encouraged to check them regularly and make sure their contact information on the rental documents is current. Jondahl said that in these cases, sometimes only a fraction of the renters are able to be reached by law enforcement because contact information isn’t up to date.