Man sought after gun shop burglary; Numerous schools closed Friday

Handguns, rifles stolen from Janesville shop

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Images from gun shop burglary

Joseph A. Jakubowski



The Rock County Sheriff’s Office is looking for a man they describe as “dangerous” after a gun shop burglary Tuesday.

Authorities are seeking 32-year-old Joseph A. Jakubowski in connection with the theft of guns from the Armageddon gun and ammo shop on Highway 14 in Janesville on Tuesday night. A car registered to Jakubowski was found burned nearby, and he’s suspected in the arson, officials said.

The sheriff’s office said in a news release Thursday night that authorities received information in the early morning hours Thursday that Jakubowski “has been highly agitated recently regarding a variety of political issues.”

The sheriff’s office said it learned in the early morning hours Thursday that he had made threats to steal weapons and to use them against public officials or at an unspecified school.

Police said Jakubowski is considered armed and dangerous. Anyone who sees him should call 911 or the tip line at 800-225-5324. A news conference is planned at 9 a.m. Friday in Janesville.

As a result of Jakubowski’s alleged threats, area schools were notified and the search efforts for have been supplemented by the FBI, the Federal Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco and Firearms, the Wisconsin Division of Criminal Investigation and local law enforcement agencies, according to the release.

Schools close, lock down due to suspect on the loose

On its Facebook page, the Janesville School District said shortly after 8 p.m. Thursday that it would cancel school Friday. It said the decision was made based on information from Janesville police and the Rock County Sheriff’s Office. Parents will be notified via the school alert system.

The Milton School District said if police are still searching for Jakubowski at about 6 a.m. Friday, that schools will be closed Friday.

Parkview Schools, UW – Rock County and Blackhawk Tech will also be closed Friday.

Edgerton , Jefferson and Fort Atkinson schools will be under a non-emergency lockdown Friday, the districts said on their websites.

Whitewater , Watertown and Lake Mills school officials said on the district’s website that they plan to resume school as normal Friday.

High-end guns stolen earlier this week

The sheriff’s office said deputies were called at 8:40 p.m. Tuesday to Armageddon Gun Shop on Highway 14 because of an audible alarm and found evidence of a burglary. Video surveillance showed a man smashing in glass on the front door.

Deputies said a large number of high-end handguns and rifles were stolen.

A vehicle fire was reported at 9:07 p.m. at Pennycook Lane, a short distance away. Deputies said there were signs of arson at the scene and they believe the fire was connected to the burglary.

The owner of the vehicle involved in the fire is Jakubowski who is last listed as living at 811 Glen St. in Janesville. He is described as 5 feet, 10 inches tall with green eyes and brown hair.

Deputies said they learned Thursday morning that Jakubowski was agitated about political issues and threatened to steal weapons and use them against public officials and an unspecified school.

School district officials said the request for a soft lockdown was received just before 8 a.m. Thursday.

In a soft lockdown, students are being kept in their classrooms until the lockdown is cleared.

District officials said private schools in Janesville were also notified.

A release from the Rock County Sheriff’s Office said Thursday afternoon said it assigned extra deputies to five area schools as students were released this afternoon.

“These assignments are not as a result of a specific threat but simply to provide a sense of security for students and parents,” the sheriff’s office said in the release.

Deputies were assigned to the extra duty at Montessori, Consolidated, Yahara, Rock County Christian and Parkview Schools, officials said.

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