Man matching Janesville manhunt suspect in Darlington is not wanted man
Authorities: 50 leads still to be investigated
JANESVILLE, Wis. — The Darlington police department is warning residents to be cautious after receiving a report of a suspicious person matching the description of a wanted fugitive outside a church.
In a Facebook post, the police department said it received a report of a man matching the description of Joseph Jakubowski, a man police believe is connected to a gun shop burglary and vehicle arson in Janesville and is the subject of a manhunt. The man was seen outside a Catholic church in Darlington and appeared to look inside, then leave in a dark-colored SUV. In the Facebook post, police said they are still investigating to determine the identity of that man.
A phone call to the department was not immediately returned.
Law enforcement agencies have investigated more than 300 leads in the search for Jakubowski, and authorities said Sunday morning that they still have another 50 tips to explore.
Police have increased patrols near houses of worship across southern Wisconsin after investigators learned that Jakubowski allegedly made anti-religious remarks in a 161-page manifesto mailed to President Donald Trump.
Sun Prairie police said Sunday afternoon that a suspicious person seen at Bethlehem Lutheran Church in that city on Thursday afternoon was not Jakubowski. That sighting prompted the church to cancel its Sunday services.
Rock County Sheriff’s Department Commander Troy Knudson said in a news release that authorities investigated a suspicious person complaint near St. Mary’s Church in Janesville Sunday morning, but that the man was loading weapons in his car to go target shooting. A tactical unit searched his home and verified his story.
Anyone with information on the manhunt is asked to call 1-800-CALL-FBI (1-800-225-5324) or 911.
Jakubowski is believed to be armed and dangerous, so anyone who sees him should call police and not approach him.
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