NEW LISBON, Wis. – Authorities in Juneau County say a search continues for a man they have named as a person of interest in the deaths of two juveniles and one adult, and warned that man may be armed and is considered dangerous.
The New Lisbon Police Department released a statement on Monday saying they were searching for 47-year-old Virgil Thew of New Lisbon. They then released another statement on Tuesday, Dec. 31 with more details.
According that statement the New Lisbon Police Department on Dec, 29, at approximately 10:09pm, the Juneau County Sheriffs Office was contacted by the Monroe County Sheriffs Department to assist in locating a missing juvenile from their county. The missing juvenile was picked up and last seen with Virgil Thew who was known to reside in the city of New Lisbon.
Efforts were made by the Juneau County Sheriffs Office to begin the initial investigation into the juveniles whereabouts. At approximately 7:40 a.m. on Dec. 30, the New Lisbon Police Department began to investigate as to the whereabouts of the missing juvenile. Throughout the course of the day, the New Lisbon Police Department was made aware of a second missing juvenile that was from the city of New Lisbon.
With the cooperation of the juvenile’s parents, Wisconsin Probation and Parole, Monroe County Sheriff’s Department, Mauston Police Department, Necedah Police Department, and Wisconsin State Patrol the investigation continued through the day.
At approximately 4:29 p.m. two juveniles and one adult were located deceased inside a residence in the 300 block of West Bridge Street the city of New Lisbon. The Wisconsin State Crime Lab, along with Juneau County Detectives, and investigative staff from the Monroe County Sheriffs Department diligently processed the residence.
Thew is described as a white male, date of birth June 22, 1977, weighing approximately 150 pounds and being 5′ I0″. He was last seen wearing a dark colored down coat, blue jeans, and a is currently wanted through Wisconsin Probation and Parol. Virgil should be considered armed and dangerous and law enforcement asks that if seen, do not confront or approach him and contact 911.
A search of court records shows Thew has been sentenced to state prison for numerous previous crimes going back to 1994. Charges include burglary, burglary while armed with a dangerous weapon, felon in possession of a firearm and habitual criminality. Thew was sentenced to eight years in state prison in 1998 for a La Crosse County case and 20 years in 1998 for a Sauk County case. He was also sentenced on 11 burglary and theft charges in Richland County in 1998. He received a five year sentence in some of those charges and three years on the others. It is not clear how many years Thew served for all of those cases combined or when he was released. It is common for sentences to be served concurrently rather than consecutively. The notice from the New Lisbon police did say he was also wanted by Probation and Parole.
A notice sent to parents said they did not believe either of the two deceased juveniles were students in their district.
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