At around 1:50 p.m. on April 24th, police responded to 333 6th Street for a report of an individual who was seen on video tipping over two large barrels of grease in the alleyway behind 603 Omaha Street. This caused a large spill of grease approximately 120 feet long in the alleyway, requiring the assistance of city crews to clean up. The facility at 333 6th Street was able to provide the video of the suspect tipping the barrels. The incident was captured on video at around 4 a.m. that morning. Images of the suspect were distributed to other patrol officers in an attempt to locate the suspect. At around 7:15 p.m., an officer spotted an individual who matched the description of the suspect walking in the 200 block of Omaha Street. The officer attempted to stop the man, but the man did not cooperate and ran into Memorial Park. Officers pursued and were able to detain him in the park. The man was identified as 26-year-old Steven Luther of Rapid City. During the course of the ensuing investigation, police were able to determine Luther was the suspect responsible for tipping the grease barrels. Luther was cited for Obstruction. Additionally, police are in the process of requesting a warrant for Luther for the offenses of 2nd Degree Vandalism and Littering.
Here is a picture of City Street Department employees working to address the spill yesterday.
