Armed and dangerous: 20-year-old man remains at large after alleged theft from grandparents
PLEASANT PRAIRIE -- "Stay indoors" was the message police gave residents in a Pleasant Prairie neighborhood on Thursday, February 16th as the search for a 20-year-old suspect considered armed and dangerous continues.
Edward Vincent Becs
Pleasant Prairie police said on Wednesday, around 5:00 p.m., police were notified of a fraud allegedly involving 20-year-old Edward Becs. The complainants indicated Becs, their grandson, stole $4,600 from them through fraudulent credit card transactions.
"Mr. Becs had advised family members that he was not going back to prison. He would rather die than go back to prison," said Pleasant Prairie Police Chief David Smetana.
When officers were en route to Becs' grandparents' home on 28th Avenue near 116th Street, they learned Becs fled the home with a backpack and gun case.
Pleasant Prairie Police Department
"Officers set up a perimeter in the area and began a search for the individual," said Chief Smetana.
The search involved Pleasant Prairie police, a K-9 team, officials with the Wisconsin State Patrol and the Kenosha County Sheriff's Department. A reverse 911 call was made to residents notifying them of the search for Becs.
"Stay in the house and be aware of somebody walking around the neighborhood," said George Borst, neighbor.
Roads were blocked off for hours.
"There was a large police presence; Kenosha County, state police presence... had our streets blocked for approximately two, maybe two-and-a-half hours," said Borst.
Investigators learned Becs may have been picked up and taken to the Mount Pleasant area. Mount Pleasant police were notified.
As of Thursday afternoon, Becs was still at large.
David Smetana
"He's got probation and warrants out for him so any law enforcement officer is going to be able to take him into custody. I would encourage him to turn himself in," said Chief Smetana.
Anyone with information about Becs whereabouts is asked to call police immediately.