SIOUX FALLS, S.D. (KELO) – This is the third time in just over a year that one man has been arrested for robbery in Sioux Falls.
Peyton Leclaire’s latest arrest comes after he robbed a woman outside Sunshine Foods in downtown Sioux Falls on Sunday morning.
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Police say a woman was putting groceries in her car when Leclaire, 20, approached her and started hitting her. He then threatened to shoot her, got ahold of her keys and stole her vehicle.
Officers located the stolen vehicle and arrested Leclaire after they chased him. Police spokesperson Sam Clemens told KELOLAND News in an emailed statement that Leclaire had a gun at the time of the robbery, but one was not recovered when they arrested him.
He is currently charged with first degree robbery, aggravated assault, grand theft, resisting arrest, driving while intoxicated, simple assault, obstructing law enforcement, driving without a license and purchase, possession or consumption of alcohol under the age of 21.
Clemens advises anybody who finds themselves in a similar situation to pay attention to their surroundings and call police if they see suspicious behavior.
“If a person is threatened with a weapon, it’s best to comply with the instructions given,” Clemens added. “Money or property can be replaced and it’s not worth the risk of serious injury or even death.”
Sunday’s arrest is the third time Leclaire has been arrested for robbery in a little over a year.
According to court documents, in March 2024, Leclaire was arrested for strangling a clerk at a Sioux Falls convenience store.
KELOLAND News reporting from that time says Leclaire walked into the business around 4 a.m., reached over a shelf and grabbed a bunch of alcohol.
When workers tried to stop him from leaving, police say Leclaire strangled one clerk and hit another clerk with a glass bottle. Police later arrested Leclaire for robbery, drugs and assault charges.
Due to him taking a plea deal for the aggravated assault, the robbery, possession and simple assault charges were dropped, as well as the seven year prison sentence, court documents show.
Then in July, he robbed a Casey’s gas station on north Kiwanis Avenue.
KELOLAND News reported at the time that Leclaire entered the store around 8:15 p.m. He was previously banned from the store, so employees that recognized him asked him to leave. He pushed the employee, stole cigarettes and left.
Officers found him in the area and he was arrested for robbery and intentional damage to property. He was also charged with resisting arrest, simple assault and petty theft.
Leclaire again took a plea deal, and all charges but the simple assault were dropped. He spent 89 days in prison – concurrent with his sentence from March – and the rest of the 271 days were suspended.
