In a small South Dakota town, an armed robbery was thwarted by the South Dakota Fusion Center. Though one suspect is still at large, the local sheriff says the case is well on its way to being solved.
Interior South Dakota, population 65, might seem an unlikely setting for violent crimes. However, a wild west style robbery of a rural bar became the talk of the town this week.
After waiting for the Wagon Wheel Bar to die down late on the night of Aug. 30, two suspects robbed the bar with a firearm, stealing an undisclosed amount of cash from the register, and fled the scene in a black minivan.
Now, local Sheriff Tucker Amiotte said the case has been cracked by the South Dakota Fusion Center, a bilateral law enforcement resource.
“This was not the first time I used them, but that was the fastest turnaround I ever got," Amiotte said. "I mean, 6:00 Friday morning I’m sending it off, and by 8:00 we’re already getting feedback on who our suspect is. So, it’s a real great tool.”
As a result, 44-year-old Daniel Bettelyoun Sr. has been arrested for the armed robbery. He is currently being held in Minnehaha County Jail on local and Jackson County warrants. The second suspect, a female, has not yet been publicly identified.
Amiotte said its evidence cooperation gets results.
“Being in law enforcement 22 years, I’ve seen a lot," Amiotte said. "The one thing I’ve found out over the years is we’re all on the same team. I don’t care if you’re a fed, state, tribal, or local. We’re on the same team when we can cross boundaries and work together. Help each jurisdiction out.”
Though the second suspect remains at-large and unnamed as the investigation continues, Amiotte says he’s confident the case will close soon with an arrest.