During the summer, fall and winter of 2021-2022, multiple Green County businesses in rural Monroe, the City of Monroe, rural Brodhead and rural Albany areas reported that their buildings were forcibly entered and cash, tools and at least one AR-15 rifle were reported to be taken. In 2021, the Green County Sheriff’s Office released photographs taken at one of the victim businesses, showing two individuals, one who appeared to be carrying a pistol. Monroe Police also released still shots showing a suspect during the same time period.
In the last several weeks, Monroe Police Detectives received a tip from the community that identified several teenage males as allegedly being involved in the burglaries. Monroe Police and Green County Detectives and Deputies conducted search warrants and interviews and recovered at AR-15 rifle, a new chain saw, fireworks, suspected burglary tools, multiple masks and face coverings and other clothing that were either taken during the burglaries or suspected to be worn by the suspects that were committing the burglaries. The Rock County Sheriff’s Office dive team assisted in the recovery of a safe taken during one of the burglaries from the Sugar River near the intersection of STH 11/81 and Mt. Hope Rd. near Brodhead and another was discovered by a private citizen. Several BB pistols that strongly resembled real firearms were also located during the searches. Members of the Stateline Area Narcotics Team and Brodhead Police also assisted during the investigation.
During the investigation, it was discovered that the same suspect or suspects had allegedly committed 1 burglary in Rock County and 2 burglaries in Stephenson County, IL. As of the time of this report, evidence is being processed, business owners are being contacted and interviews are concluding. Due to the ages of the alleged suspects, reports will be forwarded to the Green County District Attorney for a charging decision. As of the time of this release, it appears that the suspects were allegedly involved in 16 burglaries or attempted burglaries in Green County’s jurisdiction as well as 3 burglaries and 2 thefts in the City of Monroe, with losses totaling approximately $26,000.
Jeff Skatrud, Green County Sheriff