Two suspects in brutal home invasion arrested

With two suspects in custody thanks to a home-security system, authorities still need the public's help to identify a third suspect in a home invasion that turned brutal a week before Christmas.

On Tuesday, the Black Hills Fugitive Task Force served arrest warrants on Robert Arpan III, 30, and Cody Hopkins, 30, both of Rapid City. The men were arrested without incident at their homes, according to Capt. Marty Graves of the Pennington County Sheriff's Office.

Rapid City Police said the home-invasion victim's home-security system captured photos of Arpan, Hopkins and a third suspect when they forced their way into a home on East Watertown Street Dec. 17.

The men severely beat the 72-year-old homeowner before taking several items from the home. The victim was taken to Rapid City Regional Hospital with serious injuries. Police on Tuesday did not provide an update on the victim's condition.

One day after police posted photos, a tip helped officers identify one of the men.

Warrants accusing Arpan and Hopkins of first-degree burglary were issued on Monday and served Tuesday, according to Rapid City Police spokesman Brendyn Medina.

Arpan and Hopkins were both being held without bond in the Pennington County Jail on three counts each of first-degree burglary. Hopkins also has two outstanding misdemeanor warrants from Meade County for failing to comply with conditions of his release on other charges.

Members of the Black Hills Fugitive Task Force who made the arrest were officers with the Pennington County Sheriff's Office and the U.S. Marshal's Service.

Anyone with information that could assist with the investigation is asked to call police Det. Steve Neavill at 394-4134 or send an anonymous tip by texting RCPD and the info to 847411.

Contact Andrea J. Cook at 394-8423 or andrea.cook@rapidcityjournal.com

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Two suspects in brutal home invasion arrested