LAKE ANDES - A man who police say damaged about $50,000 worth of computer equipment after breaking into a Lake Andes grain elevator has been arrested.
Hazen Winckler, 18, who lives on Yankton Sioux Tribal Land near Lake Andes, was taken into custody Saturday evening at the Lake Andes Coop Elevator, according to authorities.
At about 8:10 p.m., the Charles Mix County Sheriff’s Office responded to a burglary alarm at the elevator. Upon arrival, law enforcement allegedly found Winckler in the office area “rummaging through cabinets,” according to a statement from Charles Mix County Sheriff Randy Thaler.
Through an investigation, officials determined about $50,000 worth of computer equipment was damaged. Investigators believe Winckler entered the building by breaking a window near the door handle to unlock the door.
An employee at the grain elevator said the company was open during its regular operating hours Monday. The employee declined to be named, and no one else responded for comment.
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Winckler was charged with burglary, intentional damage to property, resisting arrest, petty theft and underage consumption of alcohol.
Winckler is also being held on a no bond warrant out of Davison County for aggravated criminal entry of a motor vehicle, intentional damage to property valued $2,500 to $5,000 and criminal entry of a motor vehicle.
