As police continue to investigate the August 22nd burglary at 1441 West Main Street in which 24 handguns were taken from the business, two suspects have been arrested for their involvement in the incident.
On the morning of August 22nd, police were notified that a burglary had taken place at the sporting goods retailer located at 1441 W. Main Street. It was determined that 24 handguns had been taken during the burglary. The RCPD has since partnered with the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives in the investigation.
During the course of the investigation, police learned that individuals were attempting to sell firearms believed to have been taken during the burglary. These individuals were identified as 28-year-old Zephaniah Thompson of Fairburn, and 30-year-old Mathew Keifer of Rapid City.
Thompson and Keifer were reported to be at a residence in the 100 block of E. Signal Drive. On August 23rd, police observed a pickup truck leaving this residence and a traffic stop was initiated. During the stop, the driver was identified as Thompson and he was taken into custody. Thompson was placed under arrest for Aiding/Abetting in relation to the burglary, Commission of a Felony with a Firearm, and 24 counts of Receiving Stolen Property.
Another occupant of the vehicle, identified as 33-year-old Hank Dubray of Rapid City, was found to be in possession of a firearm with an altered serial number. Dubray was placed under arrest for Possession of a Firearm with an Altered Serial Number and Commission of a Felony with a Firearm. At this time, there is no reason to suspect that Dubray was involved in the burglary.
During the course of the traffic stop, police were informed that Keifer was still inside of the residence and, given the high-risk circumstances, the Rapid City/Pennington County Special Response Team was mobilized to assist in bringing Kiefer into custody. Keifer exited the residence and he was placed under arrest. During a search of the residence, the majority of the firearms stolen from 1441 W. Main Street were recovered. Police also determined that Keifer was the individual responsible for the original burglary to the business, and that Thompson drove Keifer to and from the location of the burglary.
Keifer was placed under arrest for 3rd Degree Burglary, 24 counts of Receiving Stolen Property, Commission of a Felony with a Firearm, and four counts of Possession of a Firearm with an Altered Serial Number.
On August 26th, law enforcement received information that a person of interest in the case, identified as 31-year-old Travis Jones, was seen at the residence at 6755 Green Valley Drive in Rapid Valley. The RC/PC SRT was called out to assist in taking Jones into custody. He was ultimately arrested without incident on several drug offenses and a Bond Revocation. Jones was also wanted for questioning about the location of several of the guns taken in the burglary. Based on this information, police were able to locate two more of the stolen firearms.
At this point in the investigation, the RCPD has recovered 22 of the 24 firearms believed to be stolen in the burglary. The active investigation into the whereabouts of those two weapons is ongoing. If anyone has any information that would assist in recovering these guns, they should contact Det. Michael Shyne at 394-4134. They can also send an anonymous tip by texting the letters ‘RCPD’ and the information to 847411.
