Airpods lead Sioux Falls police to 17 stolen guns; search for suspect continues
The Sioux Falls Police Department is searching for a man they say had 17 stolen guns found at his home after a judge issued a search warrant.
Mitchell Luis Arevalo, 23, from Sioux Falls, is wanted on a $10,025 cash-only warrant for grand theft involving firearms, according to police spokesman Sam Clemens.
On Oct. 14, police were granted a search warrant for Arevalo's Sioux Falls home at the 200 block of S Summit Avenue. Another man had tracked his stolen Airpods from his unlocked car at the 1000 block of W Glen Eagle Circle to Arevalo's residence, Clemens said.
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When police searched the home, they found 17 stolen guns. Clemens said 12 of the guns were reported stolen out of unlocked cars. The other five owners were not sure when or where their guns were taken.
None of the guns were stolen in urban Sioux Falls. All were traced back to their owners who were notified. It's unknown if Arevalo stole the guns himself, but he is being charged for being in possession of stolen property, Clemens said.
It’s believed the thefts happened from Aug. 2 through Oct. 3. The thefts occurred in Minnehaha County, McCook County, Lincoln County, Moody County and Lyon County, Iowa, Clemens said in an email. The towns in Minnehaha County were Renner, Garretson, Humboldt, Baltic and rural Sioux Falls.
Police Chief, Jon Thum, made a call for the public to lock their vehicles Tuesday night during the City Council meeting referencing the rising reports of stolen vehicles in Sioux Falls.
“We are not Mayberry, you cannot leave your keys in your ignition and expect good things to happen," Thum said.
Police have noticed an increase in gunshot calls in Sioux Falls and Clemens said many of those weapons used could be stolen guns.
Stolen guns can be used on the "Black Market" as a bartering tool or exchanged for cash, Clemens said.
Included in the stolen guns seized from Arevalo's home were handguns, shotguns and at least one AR-15, Clemens said.
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This article originally appeared on Sioux Falls Argus Leader: 17 stolen guns reported in Sioux Falls, most out of unlocked vehicles
