HARRISONBURG, Va. (WHSV) - UPDATE: Oct. 10 - Harrisonburg Police released new details Sunday about the recovery of the stolen modular home.
After getting a tip that the stolen home was seen in Campbell County, media outlets in that area alerted the public about the theft.
Homeowners in Pittsylvania County contacted police shortly after about damaged mailboxes along narrow roads.
Law enforcement officials investigated that report and found the stolen home likely caused the damage as it was being towed by the suspect.
A property owner in Halifax County contacted authorities after seeing the modular home on a remote piece of property.
Deputies from the Halifax County Sheriff’s Office also discovered that a skid steer, which was reported stolen from Charlottesville, was also on site with the stolen modular home.
The property owner where the stolen property was found is not believed to be involved.
Detectives were able to identify the suspect as Stephen Rusiecki, 61, originally of Michigan.
He was taken into custody on October 9 without incident.
Rusiecki was operating the white flatbed pickup seen in surveillance video and was also in possession of a stolen excavator from Maryland during his arrest.
Rusiecki was also wanted through Loudon County, Virginia, Maryland and Michigan. He is currently being held on outstanding charges, and criminal charges from HPD are pending.
Additional charges from other jurisdictions are likely.
Due to the complex and far-reaching nature of this case, it will remain under investigation by HPD’s Major Crimes Unit.
“There was a great amount of teamwork involved in this case,” said HPD Criminal Investigations Commander Lt. Todd Miller. “Our partner agencies and the public were key to this investigation’s outcome,” Miller added.
If you were a witness to this crime or have any further information to assist in the investigation, please call Detective Mike Spiggle with HPD’s Major Crimes Unit at 540-437-2617, or email at Michael.spiggle@harrisonburgva.gov. Anonymous tips related to this incident, or any crime can be sent to Crime Solvers at (540) 574-5050 or by texting “HPD” plus their tip to CRIMES
UPDATE: Oct. 9 - On Saturday, the Campbell County Sheriff’s Office reported the modular home stolen from Harrisonburg has been recovered.
Officials also noted that a person of interest is in custody on an unrelated charge.
Anyone with any information relating to this case should contact the Sheriff’s Office at (434) 332-9574, or call Crime Stoppers at 1-888-798-5900.
The Harrisonburg Police Department continues to investigate the theft of a modular home from Clayton Homes located in the 3800 block of South Main Street.
HPD says on October 3, 2021, at approximately 7:00 a.m., an unknown offender connected a truck to a 14′x60′ modular home equipped for transport and drove off the property.
The suspect vehicle is described as a white four-door, Dodge Ram 3500 or 4500, flatbed truck with amber colored running lights above the cab.
The stolen modular home is described as having clay colored vinyl siding with white trim and black shingles.
Officials say that on October 3 between the hours of 9:00 a.m. and 10:00 a.m., the truck was seen south of Lynchburg, in Campbell County, at the intersection of Route 501 and Long Island Road. The truck attempted to turn from Route 501 onto Long Island Road before backing up and continuing south on Route 501.
If you were a witness to this crime or have any further information to assist in the investigation, HPD asks that you call the Major Crimes Unit at 540-437-2640.
Those with information in the area of Campbell County are encouraged to contact Detective Herndon with the Campbell County Sheriff’s Office at (434) 509-5022.
Anonymous tips related to this incident, or any crime can be sent to Crime Solvers at (540) 574-5050 or by texting “HPD” plus their tip to CRIMES (274637).
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