Man found passed out in stolen vehicle, then arrested on three charges

CARTHAGE -- A Sioux Falls man was arrested Tuesday morning when law enforcement found him passed out in a stolen vehicle near Carthage.
Bradley Gibbens, 32, was found on 431st Avenue east of Carthage, shirtless, and with his foot on the brake of a van, which stolen Monday night from Howard. The vehicle was running and in drive when law enforcement arrived on scene, said Miner County Chief Deputy Rob Eggert.
“It was apparent he was under the influence of something,” Eggert said.
The South Dakota Highway Patrol assisted at the scene and arrested Gibbens for driving under the influence and driving with a suspended license, both misdemeanors, and for unauthorized ingestion of a controlled substance, meth, which is a felony. He was also arrested for grand theft for stealing the van.
“Further investigation found he had stolen a checkbook that was taken out of a vehicle in the Carthage-area farm place,” Eggert said.
Gibbens did not have the chance to use any of those checks, Eggert added.
The Miner County Sheriff’s Office is also investigating a stolen car trailer from Howard and a stolen portable generator from Canova. Eggert suspects Gibbens was also involved in stealing the trailer and possibly the generator.
Unauthorized ingestion of a controlled substance and grand theft each carry a maximum penalty of five years in prison and a $10,000 fine upon conviction.