UPDATE: Thursday, July 6 – 4:00 p.m.
Vernon County Sheriff Roy Torgerson announced on Thursday afternoon the arrest of three men from Tomah, and the recovery of stolen property in relation to a burglary investigation in the Hillsboro area. Torgerson said the investigation has been ongoing for a week and credited the arrests and the recovery of the property to his investigators and the public for both getting information out and providing over a thousand tips and leads.
Torgerson said the investigation started on the night of Friday, June 30 when a homeowner on County Road F just north of Hillsboro called to report a break-in. The break-in occurred at a home that was under renovation and looked like a regular home from the outside but inside was completed gutted. No one was living at the location at the time of the break-ins. The property owner reported numerous Milwaukee brand power tools were missing along with eight firearms and several thousand rounds of ammunition.
Torgerson said he assigned an investigator to the case and security cameras were deployed on the property. On Saturday, July 1, the homeowner reported another entry to the home, this time by force. More items were reported missing. Photos of suspects were quickly obtained and distributed, including photos of a suspect vehicle. A tip about a vehicle in Tomah led to the arrest of Blaze Wesly Rouse, 30, of Tomah, and the recovery of some of the stolen items. Rouse was charged with possession of stolen property, and later burglary. The vehicle was impounded.
Torgerson said investigators continued their investigation through Monday, July 3, and Tuesday, July 4, and a search warrant was obtained from the Vernon County Circuit Court. The Vernon County Sheriff’s Office along with the Monroe County Combined Tactical Team executed that search warrant. That search resulted in the arrest of Joseph Daniel Trumble, 39, and Dustin Allen Lee Sprague, 33, both of Tomah. Both men were booked into the Vernon County Detention center and charged with burglary.
All three men were in Vernon County Circuit Court on Wednesday, July 5 and Trumble was released on a $3,000 signature bond. Rouse and Sprague are still in custody on $5,000 cash bonds. All three will be back in court for initial appearances on Wednesday, Aug, 2 at 8:30 a.m.
Torgerson said their investigation continues and they have now successfully recovered all eight weapons stolen from the property. Torgerson said the cooperation and assistance of the Tomah Police, and Hillsboro Chief Clark were critical to solving the case, along with his investigators, some of whom worked over 20 hours straight per shift. Torgerson said that quickness was crucial to solving the case because some the property may have been disposed of if they had not followed leads fast enough.
When asked if the suspects had a connection to the property of why they chose that location Torgerson said that is unclear at this time. As to the motive for the burglaries Torgerson said as is often the case the motive may have been related to drugs and the case has led to several drug investigations.
Torgerson encouraged citizens to continue to send tips and information. Torgerson said sometimes the tiniest piece of information is exactly the piece an investigator needs to solve a case. Anyone with additional information is encouraged to call the Sheriff’s Office at 608-637-2123, or you can also submit a tip without giving your name to Crime Stoppers at www.p3tips.com
Torgerson said the vehicle pictured below may have been involved in other burglaries and he is asking them to call if they have had property stolen or have seen this vehicle at any time. “There is a good chance that their might be other victims out there that have not come forward,” said Torgerson.
Previous post: Thursday, July 6
Vernon County Sheriff Roy Torgerson reports that he will hold a press conference today in Hillsboro to update the public on details regarding this case, but the Sheriff has already released information yesterday stating that three arrests have been made, one vehicle has been impounded, and some stolen property has been recovered. The Sheriff went on to say the investigation remains open and very active.
We will bring you the details of that press conference as soon as possible.
As always, anyone with additional information is encouraged to call the Sheriff’s Office at 608-637-2123, or you can also submit a tip without giving your name to Crime Stoppers at www.p3tips.com
Previous post – July 4
Vernon County Sheriff Roy Torgerson reported this morning that arrests have been made in this case on July 3 and July 4. Torgerson said the Sheriff’s Office hopes to release more details possibly as soon as tomorrow morning, July 5.
“We continue to ask the public for any information and ask that you call 608-637-2123”, Torgerson said.
You can also submit a tip without giving your name to Crime Stoppers at www.p3tips.com
Previous post – Sunday, July 2
Hillsboro, Wis. – The Vernon County Sheriff’s Office released photos of two people suspected of robbing a location in the Hillsboro/Elroy area. The Sheriff’s Office said more details would be released later, but for now they are asking the public to contact them if anyone has information about the suspects in the photos or has any information about this incident.
Anyone with information should call the Vernon County Sheriff’s Office at 608-637-2123. They can also remain anonymous and call Crime Stoppers at 608-637-8477. Tips can be submitted online at www.p3tips.com
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