Four arrested for recent Western Kenosha County burglaries.

Kenosha County Sheriff's Department Sgt. Bill Beth (left), and Detectives Jeff Bliss and Dan Ruth address the media at the Public Safety Building Monday afternoon.

UPDATE 11:25 p.m. with video — DH

Four individuals have been arrested in connection with 13 burglaries in Western Kenosha County in recent months the Kenosha County Sheriff’s Department announced at a press conference today.

One of the burglary suspects, Joseph L. Stortz, also was charged with arson in connection with a feed store fire in Trevor and two burglaries at nearby taverns the same night.

While the arrests have solved a significant number of recent burglaries, Sherifff’s Department dectives said there are about 20 more still under investigation.

“I would love to be able to tell the public that all of the bad people in and around Kenosha County have been caught,” said Sgt. Bill Beth, Sheriff’s Department spokesman said. “I would love to tell people they can leave their cars unlocked, four wheelers and snowmobiles in their yard and their houses open. This just isin’t the case, We still have pending burglaries and thefts that we are working on. Kenosha County residents still need to be vigilant in their neighborhoods at night and during the day.”

On Aug. 31, two homes in a Bristol mobile home park were burglarized. A woman and man were picked up by the Lake County Sheriff’s Department. Kenosha County sheriff’s detectives were able to link the pair to the mobile home park burglaries. Both are in custody in Lake County on 12 counts of burgalary. Charges here are pending, Beth said. (Note: Typically we do not publish suspects names until they have been charged. — DH)

Early in September, sheriff’s dectives put our information to area law enforcement of a suspcious vehicle and person who had been seen in the area. A man was stopped by Elgin (Ill.) Police driving the described vehicle. The driver was in possession of property from Kenosha County burglaries. He had been recently released from prison in Florida after serving 15 years for burglary, He currently has felony warrants for his arrest in Tennessee and is being investigated for burglaries in the Elgin area as well. He has admitted to being a street gang member and is suspected of being involved in eight Western Kenosha County burglaries. He is in custody in Elgin and has not been formally charged in the Wisconsin burglaries yet, Beth said.

Stortz, a Trevor resident, was seen walking in the area of the feed store fire and burglaries at two nearby taverns on Oct. 10. Detectives were able to tie him to all three crimes scenes by evidence found there. He is being held on a $50,000 cash bond in the Kenosha County Jail.

Here Beth addresses whether there have been an abnormal number of burglaries in Western Kenosha County as of late:

Here Beth gives some advice on how to lessen your chances of becoming a victim of a daytime burglary or theft:

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2 Comments

  1. Pamela says:

    “I would love to tell people they can leave their cars unlocked, four wheelers and snowmobiles in their yard and their houses open. This just isin’t the case, We still have pending burglaries and thefts that we are working on. Kenosha County residents still need to be vigilant in their neighborhoods at night and during the day.”
    What?? So, Sgt Beth, is it my understanding that the community is to blame for the recent rash of break ins because we’re being irresponsible? I thought they were called “break ins” for a reason..and as for the sarcasm…please stop talking down to us. Contrary to your belief, you are not smarter than the general public. Obviously, which is why you feel the need to insult the victims in this case.

  2. Elizabeth Collins says:

    I really appreciate all the time and man power the Kenosha County Police Department has put into the investigation of the break in of my Powers Lake residence.

    This is for the “Bad Guys”:

    Let the word be out! I now have an alarm system activated! I’m buying a new TV and I dare you to come into my house and rob me again!

    I am a single mother of 3 now adult girls. I also have a grand daughter I cherish!

    You probably think I have it made because I have a Lake home.

    I own a Business and work long hours mostly to pay the taxes!

    These tax dollars benefit you! Leave me alone!

    I do not do anything to hurt anyone, you shouldn’t either.

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