JACKSON, Wyo. — A string of crimes unfolded in Jackson this week, included a reported intruder in West Jackson and a series of reported thefts in town.
Starting at 3:30 a.m. Saturday, July 17, the Jackson Police Department (JPD) was dispatched to a home in West Jackson to investigate a call concerning an intruder in a residence, according to a press release from JPD.
Upon arrival, officers learned that a female resident of West Jackson and her boyfriend were inside the female’s home when they discovered signs of an intruder.
The couple had recently returned from a concert at a local bar. They were inside the female’s bedroom when they heard noises outside the bedroom that were not characteristic to the home, according to the press release. An investigation revealed that an unknown person entered the residence through a window in the home by removing a screen. Police believe the intruder roamed around the home while the couple was upstairs.
According to police, the couple noticed a personal item and a sexually explicit note inside the bedroom door. Several items were also displaced in the house.
By the time police arrived, they discovered the open window and displaced personal items, but no intruder.
The JPD investigations unit is actively working on this case.
“Sexually motivated criminal activity is one of the highest priorities for the Jackson Police Department,” JPD said in a press release today.
“The Jackson Police Department would like to take this opportunity to remind residents to lock their doors, be aware of their surroundings, and to immediately report suspicious circumstances to law enforcement.”
Police say they do not have reason to believe the incident is related to a string of incidents in east Jackson last fall.
Several days later, JDP said a series of thefts were reported in the town parking garage on 160 S. Millward between 10:30 p.m. July 19 and 12:20 a.m. July 20.
In surveillance footage, a person who appeared to be a male juvenile walking a dog was seen entering and taking items from within unlocked cars. One of the cars the subject unlawfully entered was scratched by a key or other sharp object.
During the same time frame, a construction site on the east side of the parking structure had equipment damaged by vandalism, according to the press release. Someone poured spray foam down the exhaust pipe of a construction generator and damaged other property.
Approximately two hours later, a similar-looking person returned to the parking garage without a dog. The subject entered an unlocked 2019 black Nissan Armada and took the car. At approximately 10:30 a.m. the vehicle was recovered in the 200 block of North Cache.
While detectives were on-scene processing the stolen Armada a male who resembled the suspect seen on the video was spotted walking down an adjacent alley next to the parking lot where the Armada was located. Detectives immediately noticed the subject and detained him for questioning.
After further investigation, the juvenile male was taken into custody in connection with multiple crimes committed in and around the parking garage.
JPD says they suspect other cars parked in or around the parking lot July 19 may have been burglarized and would like to speak with anyone who may have witnessed these crimes.
If you were the victim of an unreported theft or witnessed this crime please contact the Jackson Police Department at (307) 733-2331.
“The Jackson Police Department would also like to take this opportunity to remind residents and visitors to lock their cars, not to store valuables in vehicles, and to take their vehicle keys with them at all times,” JPD said.
