Update below.
Federal authorities have expanded the search for a Wisconsin fugitive who allegedly robbed a gun store and is “armed and dangerous.” The man may be plotting an act of mass violence, particularly against churches or other religious groups.
“As the search for Joseph A. Jakubowski (M/W, DOB: 07/21/84, 5’10”, 200 lbs, green eyes and brown hair) continues this Sunday night, investigators are continuing to work through the evening to attempt to locate this armed and dangerous suspect. Despite extensive efforts, Jakubowski remains at large,” Rock County Sheriff Robert D. Spoden announced in a press release.
Authorities are paying special attention to churches, as Jakubowski reportedly mailed a 161-page anti-religious manifesto to President Donald Trump on Tuesday.
ABC News reported that one hundred and fifty local, state, and federal law enforcement officers have been deployed to search for Jakubowski. “As a reminder, the FBI continues to offer a $10,000 reward for any information leading to the apprehension of this dangerous individual,” the Sheriff’s office added. “Direct sightings should be immediately reported to ‘911’ and general tips or historical information should be directed to 1-800-CALLFBI (225-5324).”
Have info on Joseph Jakubowski? Call 1-800-CALL-FBI. Up to a $10,000 Reward for details leading to his arrest. pic.twitter.com/mWEa85mZ06
— FBI Milwaukee (@FBIMilwaukee) April 7, 2017
This past Tuesday, Jakubowski allegedly broke into the Armageddon Supplies gun shop in Janesville and stole about 16 high-end firearms, ABC News reported. Thirty minutes later, a car belonging to the suspect was found engulfed in flames near the shop.
Among other weapons, the suspect reportedly stole at least two assault rifles, several high-end handguns, and perhaps even silencers, which the shop advertises on its Facebook page.
Police said Jakubowski could be seen on surveillance video, appearing to steal the weapons from the shop. Authorities said they believe the suspect had a bulletproof vest and helmet.
Sheriff Spoden also reported that police found a 161-page manifesto allegedly written by the suspect which had been sent to President Trump Tuesday at the White House. In communications before his disappearance, the suspect also allegedly 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.
Wisconsin authorities are working with the FBI, the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives (ATF), and the Secret Service to find Jakubowski, who has been missing since last Tuesday, the same day he allegedly mailed the manifesto, stole from the gun shop, and set his car ablaze.
Schools closed throughout last week as the manhunt began, and churches on Sunday experienced heightened security.
Police said the suspect was known to officers and had previously been imprisoned for trying to disarm a police officer.
Update (10:55 a.m.)
Commander Troy Knudsen at the Rock County Sheriff’s Office contacted PJ Media with an update to the story. As of 10:50 a.m. Eastern time, “the suspect still has not been apprehended.” Knudsen explained that “we do not have any breaking news in this case.”
The commander clarified that the material in Jakubowski’s manifesto will not be revealed to the public, as it is considered part of “investigative materials,” sensitive to an FBI investigation.
Some details have been released, however. “It contains a great deal of anti-government sentiment as well as some anti-religious sentiment,” Knudsen told PJ Media, “but as far as specifics, they are not divulging those details.”
The sheriff’s office spokesman reported that the manifesto did not mention any churches or religious bodies by name, but included “generalized anti-religion sentiment.” When asked if the document mentioned any public officials by name, Knudsen declined to comment, as that specific information is privileged investigative material.
As for the search, it has extended outside of Wisconsin, but those investigations also fell outside the purview of the sheriff’s office. “I can say very generally that we have received a majority of our tips in the southern Wisconsin area, certainly there have been leads from outside the state,” Knudsen said.
He reiterated the $10,000 reward for information provided to the FBI, and advised anyone seeing Jakubowski to immediately call 911. Any general tips or historical information, again, should be directed to 1-800-CALLFBI (225-5324).
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