Update: An update on the Brookings Police Department Facebook page says, "The vehicle has been recovered and suspect has been arrested in Indiana."

An update posted on the Aberdeen Police Department Facebook page at 1:30 a.m. Saturday that has since been deleted said, "The wanted individual was taken into custody 15 hours later, out of state."

An update posted on the Aberdeen Police Department Facebook page shortly after 11 a.m. Saturday says: Ronald Elkins, who was being sought yesterday by APD in reference to a Brown County warrant and suspicion of vehicular theft and violation of protection order, was apprehended in Indiana. The APD would like to thank Avera St. Luke's and the Aberdeen School District. Their assistance was integral in maintaining safety during the lockdowns. We'd also like to thank our followers for the tips we received.

Editor's note: This article has been updated to include information from the Aberdeen Police Department regarding the search for a suspect in the case.

BROOKINGS – Brookings Police and the Brookings County Sheriff’s Office are looking for a male suspect they believe is connected to a holdup alarm at a local convenience store followed by two vehicle thefts early Friday morning.

The string of incidents began shortly after 2:20 a.m. Friday, when police were called for a holdup alarm at the Cenex convenience store in the 3000 block of LeFevre Drive, Assistant Police Chief Derrick Powers said.

“(The suspect’s) actions and the things he said caused some concern, and he did take some items from the store,” Powers said. “It led them to believe he was attempting to rob the store.”

“Upon arrival, (officers) identified the suspect vehicle leaving the parking lot at a high rate of speed. An officer attempted to stop the vehicle, which fled and failed to stop for a short distance, in the 700 block of 32nd Avenue South, where the driver lost control of the vehicle and spun out and fled on foot,” Power said.

Police and sheriff’s office personnel searched the area but were unable to find the suspect.

Then at 4:07 a.m., a call came in regarding a 1993 Chevy pickup stolen from a rural Aurora address. Officers and deputies responded but were unable to find the truck. Due to the proximity to where the first vehicle lost control, Powers said they’re believed to be related.

“At 6:20 a.m., another rural Aurora resident reported a pickup stolen from their residence, sometime within that hour prior to calling,” Powers said. Taken was a gold 1999 Ford F150.

Deputies responded to that call and found the stolen 1993 Chevy pickup in the area, in a ditch a short distance away. “It’s believed that vehicle was abandoned, or the driver lost control of it and stole this second vehicle, which hasn’t been recovered yet,” Powers said.

“We believe all these incidents are related, and a suspect has been identified, but we have been unable to locate him at this point,” Powers added.

No injuries were reported in any of the Friday morning incidents.

According to the Aberdeen Police Department’s Facebook page, Avera St. Luke’s Hospital, clinics, surrounding buildings and two Aberdeen schools were locked down Friday morning as authorities searched for Ronald Dale Elkins, 35, of Aberdeen, who has a Brown County warrant.

“After APD’s investigation, it was determined that he is likely not in the area,” the police department said in its Facebook post.

“Ronald Dale Elkins, 35, is believed to be driving a 1999 gold Ford F150 SD #78511V stolen from Brookings. A cell phone linked to Elkins pinged near the St. Luke's facility, but was ultimately determined to be in another's possession,” the post said.

If anyone spots the missing gold Ford F150, they should call local law enforcement but don’t try to approach or apprehend the suspect. Call 911, the police department at 692-2113, the sheriff’s office at 696-8300, or Brookings Area Crime Stoppers at 692-STOP (7867).