Sioux Falls Panhandler Didn’t Get Money Breaks Windows With Hammer

A Sioux Falls panhandler pulled out a hammer and breaks car windows after a driver refused to give him money.

Public Information Officer Sam Clemens reported that on Sunday afternoon a vehicle was stopped at 8th and Main Avenue in downtown Sioux Falls when a panhandler approached and asked for money.

When the man in the vehicle refused to give him any money the panhandler pulled out a hammer and broke several windows on the vehicle and then ended up actually throwing the hammer through one of the windows.

After breaking the windows the panhandle went inside the compartment which was occupied by two guys.

The driver ended up chasing the panhandler and then they called the police.

There were no injuries related to the altercation and the SFPD ended up finding and arresting the suspect.

36-year-old transient Skyler Glenn Bluebird was arrested for aggravated assault and intentional damage to property.

The arresting officer did note that Bluebird appeared to be under the influence of drugs or alcohol.

Public Information Officer Sam Clemens stated... “We've talked about panhandling extensively and if people want to give money they need to give that to nonprofits. That's the best way of going about this.

There are a lot of people that panhandle and when you give them money from your car that really just encourages them to continue that behavior.

The danger of that is most of the time people are getting this money to support addictions whether that's drugs, alcohol, or both.”