Investigators are asking for help in acquiring more information about POI Dan Heinrich. Heinrich was a suspect Jacob's case from he beginning, and has been tied to Jared's assault in Cold Spring in January, 1989. He was also a suspect in the Paynesville assaults from 1986-1987. If you or anyone you know think you may know something, please contact investigators:
Email:
sheriff@co.stearns.mn.us
Phone: 320-259-3700
Or call Tri-County Crimestoppers at 800-255-1301. Callers may remain anonymous.
Below is an excerpt from the book "It Can't Happen Here - The Search for Jacob Wetterling."
Interestingly, Duane Hart, who is a convicted sex offender himself, was indicated in published news articles as a suspect in all of these cases in 1990. But, history shows he was actually trying to help investigators in those cases:
"When Hart was shown several sketches of possible suspects in both cases, he identified a handful of men as possible, but suggested one man in particular (Dan Heinrich) that he thought matched the description in Jared's case in Cold Spring. Hart identified that particular individual because the man often wore military type clothing, drove a dark blue car, and had a hand held police scanner. Each of those items was consistent with descriptions from Jared’s account of his abduction and assault."