Polygamous sect leader Lyle Jeffs was caught in South Dakota on Wednesday (June 14), and authorities can credit a tip from the owner of a small-town South Dakota pawn shop for their ability to nab him.

KDLT News is reporting that Jeffs pawned two pairs of Leatherman pliers for $37 at River City Treasures and Pawn on Tuesday (June 13) in Yankton.

A store employee identified Jeffs after he provided identification during the transaction at the pawn shop. According to KDLT News, once Jeffs left the store, the employee notified the store owner, Kevin Haug, who then notified authorities and supplied them with store video and paperwork.

At the time Jeffs pawned the pliers, he provided his last name as his first name, going by Jeffs Lyle Steed.

Coincidently, Jeffs also visited the same store last week, according to Haug. At that time, Jeffs tried to sell another tool to the store, but they elected not to buy it, and Jeffs was not required to produce identification.

In the KDLT News report, Haug said that he recalls Jeffs acting nervous and fidgety the first time he visited the store.

Jeffs was apprehended on Wednesday at Lewis and Clark Marina just outside of Yankton. He apparently had been living out of his pickup truck for some time.

WCCO CBS Minnesota reports that Jeffs has been on the lam for nearly a year, after escaping from home confinement in Utah, while awaiting trial on a food stamp fraud scheme.

He is currently being held in Sioux Falls. Jeffs is expected to have a hearing soon in South Dakota, and then be transferred back to Utah where he will face the pending charges against him.

Source: KDLT TV/ WCCO CBS MInnesota 


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