WASHINGTON COUNTY -- The Washington County Sheriff's Office took an 18-year-old Campbellsport man into custody early Thursday morning, September 29th in connection with a theft of mail investigation.
According to officials, the suspect is currently being investigated for the thefts of mail out of mailboxes in the Towns of Farmington, Barton and West Bend -- although that geographic area could expand as the investigation progresses.
The investigation began Tuesday morning, September 27th after the sheriff's office was called out to a residence on Beaver Dam Road in the Town of Barton for the report of a theft from a mailbox.
The homeowner says they heard a loud exhaust at the end of the driveway and then saw a gold van back up towards the mailbox. A subject exited the vehicle and removed a cable bill from the mailbox. The vehicle then left the area with no headlights on.
At the time of the call, officials were unable to locate the vehicle as the theft occurred about 45 minutes prior to the time the sheriff’s office was notified.
That following afternoon, the suspect vehicle was again seen by the homeowner and sheriff’s deputies were able to subsequently locate the vehicle at an apartment complex in the Town of Barton.
The suspect was arrested in possession of some of the missing mail.
The sheriff’s office is currently in the process of notifying several victims, known to law enforcement, that may be unaware their personal information could have been compromised.
The preliminary investigation also suggests there may be other victims the sheriff’s office could have difficulty identifying.
The sheriff’s office is still investigating the extent of the thefts and the full intentions of the suspect. The investigation is very active at this point.
If citizens have a reason to believe they have been victims of mail thefts they are encouraged to contact their primary law enforcement agency.