Robberies at record high in Sioux Falls

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Robberies have hit a record high in South Dakota’s largest city with more than two months still to go in the year.

There have been 89 robberies in Sioux Falls, eclipsing the record of 74 set in both 2007 and 2009.

In addition, the 43 business robberies in the city this year also is a record.

Police spokesman Sam Clemens said linking the spike in robberies to the poor economy would only be speculation, though he said robberies have a common theme.

“Mostly its people that have fallen on hard times and needed some help with the bills,” he said. “The other big thing we see is they need money for drugs.”

Ron Lamberty’s gas and convenience store has been robbed twice within a week this month.

“It’s frustrating,” he said. “We have hard workers that work here. People that work here have bills, too. (Robbers) think it’s OK just to steal from other people. It’s just infuriating.”

An unprecedented spate of suspicious fires in the city also has put Sioux Falls on pace to break annual arson records.

Since early September, firefighters have responded to 15 suspicious fires in garages, sheds and vehicles. Authorities have formed an arson task force and are offering a $10,000 reward for information.

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