BROOKINGS – A man was arrested by Brookings Police for allegedly breaking into vehicles this week – twice.
Rory Bird, 30, of Brookings, was arrested on suspicion of criminal entry of a motor vehicle and resisting arrest, among other charges.
The first incident was reported to the BPD as a suspicious person in the 500 block of 20th Avenue at 5:40 p.m. Wednesday, Lt. Derrick Powers said.
“An individual ... was observed in the area looking in car windows, checking vehicle doors,” Powers said.
Officers located Bird, who had a backpack. Officers found items on Bird and in the backpack, which were identified as having been taken from at least two vehicles in the area, Powers said.
“As a result, he was arrested for two counts of criminal entry of a motor vehicle,” Powers said. “As officers were attempting to (take him into custody) he resisted officers. As a result, he was (shocked with a Taser).”
Powers described it as a “dry stun,” where the Taser is held directly against the suspect’s body, which “is intended to cause pain without incapacitating the target,” according to eplabdigest.com.
After that, officers were able to take Bird into custody and transport him to the Brookings County Detention Center. He was also charged with resisting arrest.
Bird was later released, Powers said.
Shortly after 3:30 p.m. Thursday, BPD received a call about a garage burglary in the 200 block of First Street.
“When they arrived home, they found him in their garage,” Powers said. “They kept him in the garage, didn’t allow him to leave until our officers arrived there. Found it was the same individual.”
Officers attempted to take Bird into custody.
“He failed to follow verbal command and displayed threatening behavior toward the officers,” Powers said.
After several verbal commands, with the same result, “a Taser was deployed, at which point, he was taken into custody,” Powers said.
This time, the Taser probes were used.
“It’s our procedure to medically clear him,” Powers said.
The ambulance was called and Bird was medically cleared at the scene before being transported to the BCDC.
“It was determined that the individual had entered at least three vehicles in the area,” Powers said, adding two were in the 100 block of Second Avenue South.
For this incident, Bird was arrested for third-degree burglary, three counts of criminal entry of a motor vehicle, resisting arrest and possession of burglary tools.
“I believe on each occasion, he was drinking,” Powers said.
