MONROE - Green County Sheriff Jeff Skatrud issued a press release Wednesday morning, announcing the solving of several area burglaries and thefts over the past 12 months that accounted for more than $25,000 in losses.

"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," Skatrud wrote in the press release issued March 30, 2022. "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." 

Within the past several weeks, Monroe Police Detectives received a tip from the community that identified several teenage males as allegedly being involved in the burglaries, Skatrud said. Monroe Police, Green County Detectives and Green County 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 Wis. 11/81 and Mt. Hope Road 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 one burglary in Rock County and two burglaries in Stephenson County, Illinois," Skatrud said. "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 three burglaries and two thefts in the City of Monroe, with losses totaling approximately $26,000.