Four arrested for damaging more than 150 Lake County mailboxes

Four Winthrop Harbor teens are accused of damaging more than 150 mailboxes, police officials said.

Trevor M. Rieker, Michael T. Rottmann, Brian H. Nowakowski, Eric S. Danson, all 17, were each charged with criminal damage to property, officials said, after the two month investigation completed Tuesday.

Det. Chris Willets said his department has received more than 150 complaints in the past couple of months regarding the damaged mailboxes.

Willets said a break in the case came after police in Pleasant Prairie, Wis. contacted Winthrop Harbor with a similar criminal damage complaint in which the suspects' vehicle and license place were identified.

Tuesday, the vehicle was spotted by officers and stopped in Winthrop Harbor, where the driver was questioned.

After the suspects were interviewed, Rieker, Danson, and Nowakowski admitted being responsible for damages to the mailboxes, Willets said.

Rieker, Nowakowski, and Danson were each charged with 10 counts of criminal damage to property. Rottmann was charged with an obstructed registration plate, no rear registration light, obstructed windshield, criminal damage to property, and burglary to motor vehicle.

Rieker has also charged with burglary to a motor vehicle for an incident in Pleasant Prairie in addition to the criminal damage to property charges.

Willets said more charges are expected after the Lake County State's Attorney's Office reviews all the complaints received.

Rieker and Rottmann were take to Lake County jail pending a bond hearing, while Nowakowski and Danson were released pending a future court date.