Pennington County (trfnews.i234.me) – In a startling incident that has captivated the community, Pennington County authorities are investigating a vehicle theft involving a 2015 Ford F150 pickup truck. The vehicle was reported stolen on January 28, 2025, leading to a series of events that have left residents and law enforcement alike in disbelief.
The Incident Unfolded
According to the official complaint, the sequence of events began on January 27, 2025, when a woman borrowed a man’s 2015 Ford F150 pickup truck. Having consumed alcohol, she allowed Rayne Austin Villa, 24, of no known city, to drive the vehicle. The trio—Villa, the woman, and a third man—stopped at 921 Falls Ave. While the woman and the third man entered the residence for a cigarette, Villa remained in the truck. Upon returning, the woman discovered both Villa and the pickup truck were missing, with her purse and cell phone left behind.
Discovery and Investigation
Later that evening, the woman’s purse was found in a flowerpot outside her door, and her debit card was located in the snow nearby. Pennington County Chief Deputy Scott Mekash located the abandoned pickup truck at approximately 8:18 p.m. on January 28, parked in the 600 block of Kinney Ave. N. Despite waiting, no one returned to claim the vehicle, leading to its towing on January 29. The owner reported that a yellow toolbox containing a tow strap and tools was missing from the truck.
Legal Proceedings
Rayne Austin Villa was charged with felony theft of a motor vehicle. He was booked into the Pennington County Jail on March 11, 2025, with the complaint filed the following day. As of now, Villa remains in custody, awaiting further legal proceedings.
This incident has shed light on the ongoing challenges faced by Pennington County law enforcement in addressing vehicle-related crimes. Despite proactive efforts leading to a 38% drop in stolen vehicles in 2024 compared to the previous year, incidents like this highlight the need for continued vigilance.
I’m Chris Harper reporting for TRF News