RICHFIELD, Wis. — Authorities in Washington County are searching for two people after they allegedly broke into a home armed with weapons on Tuesday, searching for a package shipped to an address they do not live at.
“Kind of horrifying what those victims had to go through," Lieutenant of Detectives for the Washington County Sheriff's Office, Tim Kemps explains.
It happened in the Nob Hill Drive subdivision north of CTH Q in the Village of Richfield.
It all started with a 911 caller reporting they received an unexpected package and that a stranger showed up for it.
"It was to one of the victims’ names, so they signed for the package. The driver left, they opened up the package and it was three iPhones that they had not ordered” Lieutenant Kemps says.
He says the package contained three iPhones.
The sheriff's office said the stranger who knocked on the door, identified as a male wearing a gray sweatshirt and orange Hi-Vis, told the 911 caller the package was for him, even though he didn't live at the address.
The stranger then tried to take the package and force himself in, the sheriff's office said, and a "confrontation" began. "One of the victims was able to get him into a headlock and basically force him from his house. And the suspect was not able to get the package,” Lieutenant Kemps says.
The suspect eventually left, but he returned later with another person.
Lieutenant Kemps says the victims heard glass shatter inside of their home.
"They got up, went to that other room, and found two suspects at this point, masked, standing in their house, with guns pointed at them demanding that they give up the package.”
They wanted the package, but the victims said they handed the package over to authorities. They left for a second time.
According to a statement from the Washington County Sheriff's Office, three younger Black males were seen in the subdivision for at least an hour before the package was delivered a little after 5 p.m.
Authorities believe they were in the area waiting for the delivery in a dark-colored newer SUV, possibly a Chevy Equinox.
The male suspect who went up to the home and originally confronted the homeowners is described by authorities as a shorter and skinnier Black male around 18 years old wearing a yellow traffic vest. The two other suspects are also described as being shorter, skinnier Black males, both wearing masks.
Authorities believe this is a targeted identity theft of the victim since the package was delivered to him but not purchased by the victim. The suspect said he had the same name as the homeowner, but when the homeowner asked for identification, the suspect tried to force his way in. After an unsuccessful attempt, the suspect fled.
The sheriff's office is asking members of the public to come forward with information.
They are urging residents to be alert in their neighborhoods. Lieutenant Kemps says to call 9-1-1 if something doesn't seem right.
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