Joseph A. Jakubowski, an alleged gun shop robber who reportedly sent President Donald Trump a manifesto with anti-religious and anti-government messages, was taken into custody Friday morning after a 10-day manhunt. Parts of the suspect’s manifesto were also released this week.
“On April 13, 2017 at approximately 9:30 PM, the Vernon County Sheriff’s Office received a report of a suspicious person on a farmer’s property on Estes Road near Readstown, WI,” reported Rock County Sheriff Robert D. Spoden in a news release.
According to the release, a citizen reported a suspicious person matching Jakubowski’s description camping at the farmer’s property. “Shortly before 6:00 AM, tactical officers made contact with the suspicious person at the campsite,” the sheriff’s office reported. “This subject was taken into custody without incident and positively identified as Joseph A. Jakubowski, our wanted fugitive.”
Last Tuesday, Jakubowski allegedly broke into the Armageddon Supplies gun shop in Janesville and stole about 16 high-end firearms. A half-hour later, the suspect’s car was found engulfed in flames nearby.
Sheriff Spoden also reported that police found a 161-page manifesto allegedly written by the suspect which had been sent to President Trump last Tuesday at the White House. In communications before his disappearance, Jakubowski reportedly made references to his dying by the hand of Trump, and expressed a desire to save everyone by taking out one politician at a time.
A part of the manifesto was published by TODAY’s TMJ4, a local Wisconsin TV news channel. “We the people should be out for these sick minded people belonging to the system! We need to spill their blood!” the manifesto declared.
“I have never been a thief! I hate thieves!” Jakubowski reportedly wrote. “However since this system has stolen my natural right to protect and defend life..this system has left me no choice but to commit crime to have the means to protect life!”
He also attacked religious leaders, arguing that churches control politicians and the government.
“Priests and churches control the presidents and the banks…” Jakubowski wrote.
He promised not to harm or bring violence to anyone unless “these terrorist gangs continue their terrorism on human life and force my hand to protect and defend the honor and dignity of life!”
Jakubowski also reportedly wrote about his own death, declaring that he is not afraid to die. “I choose my death to be carried out by the hands of the president! The leader of the people! Not in secret either! On live TV.”
Now that the suspect is in custody, that seems exceedingly unlikely.
“The only way the system will take control of my life…is over my dead body!”
Jakubowski argued that health insurance, taxes, and religion are ways the government attempts to brainwash its citizens. He also claimed to be an artist whose passion was destroyed by government regulations.
The 10-day manhunt involved federal authorities including the FBI, the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives (ATF), and the Secret Service. The FBI offered a $10,000 reward for information on the suspect.
It is a good thing this suspect was taken into custody and is no longer on the streets “armed and dangerous.” Churches and schools were monitored and temporarily closed while he was at large, and for good reason. At the end of the day, however, the person to whom Jakubowski seems to pose the greatest threat is himself.
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