SIOUX FALLS, S.D. (KELO AM) - Sioux Falls Police Chief Doug Barthel on Friday held a news conference to announce a big breakthrough in the string of armed robberies that plagued the city in January. There have been at least 9 armed robberies since the beginning of the year.
Barthel says two men have been arrested - Joshue David Porth and Jonathan Thomas Julson, both of Sioux Fall, both in their early 20s. Barthel says the two suspects may be linked to five of the robberies.
He says they found meth on one of the men so there is probably a connection with the need for money to feed a habit.
Chief Barthel says the men have so far been charged only in connection with the latest armed robbery, the one at the Kum N' Go at 69th and Western Avenue, but more charges may follow.
He says a combination of quickly getting the license plate number of a suspicious car leaving the scene, and video tape of that same car, helped lead to the arrests.