On another bizarre episode of "World's Dumbest Criminals," a woman was caught by police hiding inside the walls of a Geneseo business and is now facing criminal charges.
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| Mugshot of Caleigh Gottsche; credit: |
Police Find a Woman Hiding in the Wall of a Geneseo Business
KWQC News reported that Caleigh Gottsche of Davenport was arrested by police after hearing whispering in the walls of a business in Geneseo, Illinois.
A business owner on South State Street heard a "loud noise coming from the ceiling or attic area" around 5:30 p.m. and called 911. Police arrived and searched businesses nearby and that's when they heard whispering and movement behind the walls. They talked to Gottsche and were able to pinpoint her location.
Firefighters were able to pull her out of the wall safely.
Police believe she was working with two others, and are searching for them. Roads in the area were closed during the investigation. Police also discovered that they found damaged access points on the "shared roofs" of businesses at the location.
Local Businesses are Hurt by Theft
It’s striking how far some individuals will go to exploit honest businesses — in this case, one suspect actually hid inside the walls to gain unlawful access. According to the report, the suspect was discovered squeezed between interior walls of a commercial building, after first responders heard movement from the ceiling or attic areas.
This kind of bold intrusion demonstrates not only premeditation but also a willingness to put themselves in dangerous and conspicuous positions just to commit theft or damage. Businesses that operate under the assumption of standard break-in risks may be caught off guard when someone is literally inside the walls.
When you think about the impact on the business, this kind of crime goes well beyond just stolen goods or damaged property. The psychological effect on business owners and employees is severe — knowing someone managed to access hidden parts of your building unsettles the sense of security. Moreover, the cost often isn’t limited to items taken; it includes repair of walls, ceilings, rafters, roofs, and potentially shutting down operations while investigation or remediation occurs. In the cited case, multiple businesses at the location had damaged access points in their shared roofs, suggesting coordinated and extensive efforts.
This level of risk underscores how critical it is for businesses to not only secure visible entry points but also to be vigilant about unseen vulnerabilities and the lengths to which malicious actors will go.
