WISCONSIN

Easter Sunday threat against Sussex churches made by person purporting to be Jakubowski

Jacob Carpenter
Milwaukee Journal Sentinel
The FBI released an enhanced image (right) of what Joseph Jakubowski (left) would look bald in the belief that the fugitive may have altered his appearance.

A letter from someone purporting to be manhunt subject Joseph Jakubowski threatens violence Easter Sunday against churches in the Sussex area, the Waukesha Sheriff's Office said Thursday.

The threat of unspecified violence against unspecified churches was sent through the U.S. Postal Service, but authorities have not been able to substantiate the threat nor its author, according to a news release from the Sheriff's Office.

Waukesha County residents are asked to be vigilant and report any suspicious activity, and authorities are working with area churches to review safety plans for Easter Sunday, the office said.

A nationwide search has been launched for Jakubowski, 32, who is suspected of stealing firearms from a Janesville gun shop, including an automatic weapon, and threatening to use them on public officials or a school, according to the Rock County Sheriff's Office.

The FBI is offering a $20,000 reward for information leading to Jakubowski's location.

Authorities said Thursday they have received no information to suggest the fugitive is getting help to evade capture.

Janesville Police Chief David Moore and Rock County Sheriff Robert Spoden said authorities have received more than 700 tips in the nationwide search for Jakubowski, who has been at-large for a week. The tips have largely come from local and state residents, with a few originating as far away as Texas and Oklahoma, they said.

Spoden said investigators can’t rule out Jakubowski is being aided by accomplices, but “right now we just don’t have the information or evidence that anybody is assisting him.”

Authorities continued their calls for Jakubowski to turn himself in, noting that nobody has been hurt.

“Sometimes we make a mistake, and those mistakes we can correct and work through,” Spoden said. “So far, what Joseph has done is correctable, and we encourage him to do the right thing for his community and his family.”

Investigators have said Jakubowski mailed a 161-page manifesto to President Donald Trump that contains extensive, rambling screeds against the government and religion. While there are no specific targets listed, he does suggest he’s willing to carry out violent acts. Officials have said Jakubowski doesn’t affiliate himself with any particular political party in the manifesto.

The manhunt prompted the cancellation of the annual Governor’s Easter Egg Hunt. Gov. Scott Walker’s office cited the search in canceling the event, scheduled for Saturday.

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An unnamed associate recorded Jakubowski mailing the manifesto on the afternoon of April 4. A few hours later, Jakubowski broke into a Janesville weapons store, stole 18 guns, then set his car on fire, authorities have said.

A portion of the document was published Thursday by WTMJ-TV, which said it received a copy from a source who had the manifesto before Jakubowski’s disappearance. In it, Jakubowski said the government and religion are brainwashing citizens, and he wants his death “carried out by the hands of the president” on live television, the station reported.

Authorities said they don’t know who mailed the portion, which contains 36 of the 161 pages. Investigators have obtained two copies of the manifesto: the original mailed to Trump; and a version provided by a cooperating source.

“We believe that there are other copies out there from some of our interviews,” Spoden said. “Again, we don’t know the number and we don’t know who has them. Frankly, I’m surprised that he didn’t send some to (the media).”

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Although the manifesto contains anti-religion screeds, Spoden encouraged residents to attend Easter Sunday services if they feel comfortable. Some additional patrols will be activated at churches in the Janesville area, he said.

The FBI has been working to create a profile of Jakubowski to determine his motive and possible future moves. That work has not turned up any information to suggest Jakubowski’s actions could have been predicted, authorities said.

No decision has been made regarding when investigators might scale back their search if Jakubowski remains at-large.

The Associated Press contributed to this report