Associated Press
MILWAUKEE — Before setting off a massive manhunt triggered by a gun shop break-in, authorities said Joseph Jakubowski first wanted to document the start of his self-proclaimed revolution against the government and law enforcement.
“To anybody that got this letter, you might want to read it,” the 32-year-old Jakubowski said as he walked in the parking lot of a southern Wisconsin post office, holding an oversized white envelope bearing multiple stamps and containing a 161-page manifesto addressed to President Donald Trump. “There it is, you see, it’s getting shipped. Revolution. It’s time for change.”
The scene comes from a 15-minute video shot before Jakubowski disappeared last week and subsequently released by Rocky County Sheriff officials. Investigators have said Jakubowski’s manifesto details a long list of grievances against the government and law enforcement, and threatens attacks against schools and public officials.
Law enforcement have released few specifics about what Jakubowski wrote — and said little about what they believe he’ll do — but they’re devoting more than 150 state and federal officers in what’s become a national search. Authorities are urging the public to call with information of his whereabouts but they’re warning people not to approach him because he has more than a dozen firearms and he’s acquired a bulletproof vest and a helmet.
“Here we go guys. April 4th, 2017. It’s 5:43,” Jakubowski said showing the letter one last time before dropping it off in a mailbox. “Game time,” he said before walking away.
About three hours later, Rocky County Sheriff Robert Spoden said Jakubowski burglarized a gun store in Janesville, Wisconsin, about 70 miles (110 kilometers) southwest of Milwaukee. He left with 18 firearms, including at least two rifles, before setting his car on fire and vanishing, Spoden said.
The video was obtained from a social media network by law enforcement officials, who have declined to say where it was posted or who shot it. However, the sheriff’s office has said an associate of Jakubowski who received a copy of the manifesto has been cooperating.
It was not immediately clear whether the White House received the manifesto.
Investigators have followed up on more than 400 tips and leads in the manhunt, and federal authorities are investigating any leads developing outside the area. Aiding local law enforcement in the search is the FBI, the U.S. Secret Service, and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives.
The FBI is offering a $10,000 reward for information leading to Jakubowski’s capture.
The sheriff’s office said in a statement Sunday night that it had contacted school districts to inform them that Jakubowski is still on the run so they can make decisions on any precautionary measures. Many Rock County schools are on spring break this week. Churches have been told by law enforcement to be on alert because the manifesto included anti-religious views.
Jakuboswki writes in his manifesto about “injustices he believes that the government and society and the upper class have put forth onto the rest of the citizens,” Spoden said.
“It’s just an overview that he feels that the government, and law enforcement in particular are acting as terrorists and are enslaving the people and creating this environment that he finds unacceptable,” Spoden said.
Over the years, Jakubowski has had several run-ins with law enforcement, most for traffic violations. But he has previously resisted arrest and once tried to disarm an officer, said Janesville Police Chief David Moore.
“What we have not seen in the past is this anti-government, or terrorist-type information. That is a new element for all of us,” Moore said.
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