Richfield armed home invasion; unexpected package delivered to home
RICHFIELD, Wis. - The Washington County Sheriff's Office is looking for the people who invaded a Richfield home not once but twice in a matter of hours Tuesday, Oct. 17.
Neighbors in the Nob Hill subdivision near County Highway Q said it is typically a very quiet area. The sheriff's office said a home was targeted, and it started with a package delivery.
"I can’t believe in this neighborhood that that would happen," said one neighbor, who asked not to be identified out of fear for her safety. She said she has lived in Nob Hill for more than 50 years.
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Sheriff's Lt. Tim Kemps said the homeowners opened the package and saw it was cellphones, which they had not ordered. Moments later, a young person knocked on their door and said the package was theirs.
"He identified himself as the same name as our victim," Kemps said.
The victim asked for some identification, the sheriff's office said, and that's when the suspect tried to get into the house. The homeowner put the suspect in a headlock, Kemps said, and called 911 after getting the suspect out the door.
Roughly four hours later, the sheriff's office said the homeowners heard the sound of a window shattering. Kemps said they found two masked people pointing guns at them, demanding the package. The victims said the sheriff's office already had the package, and the two masked suspects left through the window they broke in from.
"I pray for them. I pray for their safety, and I pray they can recover from this because that has to be mind-altering," the neighbor said. "I care about what happens to my neighbors. I care about being in the yard and not being fearful of someone coming up to you and demanding something or being in your house."
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Authorities believe the victim was targeted with identity theft, and the suspects wanted to profit off the cellphones' resale.
The sheriff's office said, if you get a package with your name on it that you did not order, or you see a suspicious person or vehicle lurking in your neighborhood, call them immediately.
Authorities believe the suspects may have been driving a dark-colored Chevrolet Equinox. Anyone with information or surveillance video is urged to call the sheriff's office at 262-335-4378.