Joseph Jakubowski Suspected of Targeting Churches, Schools

Joseph Jakubowski has been on the run since April 4.

UPDATE: April 14, 2017: Jakubowski was taken into custody early this morning. He had been camping on a farm near Readstown, Wisc., reports ABC News.

A manhunt is underway for a suspect police say may be targeting churches, schools and public officials after allegedly stealing guns from a Wisconsin gun store.

Joseph Jakubowski, 32, has been on the run since April 4, when he is suspected to have broken the front glass of a gun store in Janesville, Wisconsin, and stolen around 16 high end firearms. Police also learned Jakubowski acquired a bullet proof vest and a helmet.

Investigators say Jakubowski is “highly dangerous” and recently sent a 161-page manifesto to the White House outlining his extreme anti-government views, reports the Washington Post.

The Rock County Sheriff’s Office is offering a $10,000 reward for any information that leads to his arrest.

Rock County Sheriff Robert Spoden said authorities do not know the suspect’s location, although a citizen reported seeing Jakubowski in New Lisbon early Sunday morning.

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Authorities promptly notified local law enforcement officials and schools of the report, and nearby school districts implemented unspecified safety measures, reports nbc15.com.

Joseph Jakubowski’s Plot

Joseph Jakubowski had reportedly discussed a plan to steal weapons and attack public officials or schools in response to perceived injustices he believes he’s been the victim of. Jakubowski allegedly made “unspecified threats” against public schools.

“Whether it’s the president or whether it’s local officials or whether it’s law enforcement, he basically has a dislike for anyone that has authority or governmental power,” Spoden said at an April 7.

Meanwhile, several area schools increased their security in response to the manhunt.

The Rock County Sheriff’s Office has assigned deputies to some schools to help make students and parents feel safe.

On April 6, multiple schools in the Janesville area initiated “soft lockdowns” as details of the manhunt emerged, reports Fox6now.com. The following day, Janesville and Milton public schools were closed, as were the University of Wisconsin at Rock County and Blackhawk Technical College.

More than 150 local, state and federal authorities are involved in the search for Jakubowski.

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