RAPID CITY, SD — at 5pm November 28th, police responded to reports of a vehicle which had struck a fire hydrant around the 1500 block of North Lacrosse St. before fleeing the scene.
Officers responding to the incident reported that the hydrant had been completely torn from its base, a witness located during investigations gave a description of the vehicle, leading to police locating the vehicle near an I-90 on-ramp.
The driver was identified as Hunter Beck was detained after police noted “signs that Beck appeared to be under the influence and unable to safely operate a motor vehicle,” according to a report by Lieutenant Kelvin Masur. During a search of Beck’s vehicle, officers on scene additionally located a handgun with its serial numbers scratched off, as well as “a case containing methamphetamine, drug paraphernalia, and a bag of marijuana”.
Following the arrest and information gathered from investigations, a search warrant was obtained for a local hotel room. This search resulted in the seizure of one pound of methamphetamine, additional paraphernalia, and an additional firearm.
As a result of all of these events, “Beck was arrested for DUI, Leaving the Scene of an Accident, Distribution of a Controlled Substance, Possession of a Controlled Substance, Unlawful Possession of a Firearm, Possession of a Firearm with an Altered Serial Number, and a Parole Hold,” according to the report compiled by Masur following the arrest.
