Man beaten in home invasion

By TED SULLIVAN ( Contact )   Tuesday, March 31, 2009
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Podcast Episode


WCLO's Steve Benton reports on an early morning break-in and beating in Janesville

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Anyone with information about this morning's home invasion on the city's east side can call the Janesville Police Department at (608) 755-3100 or Janesville Area CrimeStoppers at (608) 756-3636. Callers to CrimeStoppers can remain anonymous and might be eligible for a cash reward.

— A Janesville man remained in Mercy Hospital this morning after being beaten by three to five armed men who broke into his home.

Mark D. Brown, 25, of 3206 E. Milwaukee St., Janesville, was in fair condition this morning. He was conscious, and his vital signs were stable, hospital spokeswoman Pat Spangler said.

Three to five men in ski masks busted through the door of the split-level duplex on Milwaukee Street at 2:09 a.m. this morning, Lt. Tim Hiers said.

One of the men was armed with a rifle, he said, and the others had sticks or clubs.

The men targeted Brown and went into his bedroom, where they hit him in head with the rifle and other objects, Hiers said.

The attack might have been over a woman or a drug debt, Hiers said.

Brown and his roommates left the home after the incident and flagged down a police officer, Hiers said. Brown was immediately taken to the hospital.

Isaac Cortez, 18, no fixed address, is wanted for questioning regarding the attack, Hiers said.

The home invasion was not random, he said, and the suspects and Brown likely knew one another.

Several people stay in the home on East Milwaukee Street, but only Brown was beaten. The other roommates did not intervene and were not injured.







reader COMMENTS (67)
shorty_qirl5
Apr 15, 2009 at 6:36 p.m.
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bef0re pe0ple try t0 brinq up that vict0r q0t 3rd deqree sexual assault that isz fr0m him qettinq an under aqe qirl preqnant which he wasz als0 under aqe at the time qet y0ur factsz straiqht y0u d0n't even kn0w them

mayhem08
Apr 8, 2009 at 3:33 p.m.
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Look everyone, worm is so smart he got to skip a few grades in school........some call that high school!!!

worm
Apr 4, 2009 at 12:20 p.m.
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Ok i am gonna clear this up. The phones were taken, why no one called 911 on mute or anything. All the roomates were woken up with weapons pointed at them, then dragged to the living room. This was completly over the girl and that he was kicked out of them home couple months before which he didnt like. Suppoivly him and his girl had a argument and said she was going over there, but wasnt there. Rest seemed to be promised money. Oh and for the record, two of the people there do have jobs and that is how rent is payed.

baybeegirl
Apr 3, 2009 at 2:48 p.m.
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Ridiculous, people are just not right these days... It's getting worse and worse.

KO84
Apr 2, 2009 at 7:54 p.m.
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First of all Mark is no more innocent than these other 3 men. Yeah this time he was the victim, but in the past he was the one calling the shots and has no problems making threats to others.

I am pleased that these 3 men did get caught. We don't need "lil punks" out in our streets of Janesville, it just disappoints me that Mark or "Frosty", as many people know him as, will return home and continue to deal drugs, take peoples money, and make threats to others as if nothing happened.

As far as his roommates go, I would have sat there doing nothing as well (being quiet and hoping I didn't get beat) cause they all know that he would never lift a finger to help them out. That is how their world works. Actually I take that back because I would never get involved with people like this. I just know of this situation from others who are wrapped up in this crap.

shop_gurl
Apr 2, 2009 at 4:25 p.m.
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I worked with this "Isaac Cortez" character...and well, that is not the name he went by at work.. He is using not only bogus addresses..but bogus names as well... Last I knew he lived on Milwaukee Street.. this is just to strange!!

carlitosway
Apr 2, 2009 at 1:21 p.m.
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Go to ccap and look at victor garcia's record he is on probation as of march 2008 and while on probation he was charged on july 2 08 with 3 counts 1 940.225(3) 3rd Degree Sexual Assault of a child Felony G
2 946.41(1) Obstructing an Officer Misd. A Read the court record of events of case # 2008CF001964 he also has 4 other charges as to his violant behaviors read into record after probation was issued. When is Rock County going to hold people accountable and lock them up for the crimes they commit IMO he is a risk to society as a whole and at this time seems to be incourageable and disregards any laws in society.
and he is out in our community to continue to do as he pleases to who ever he chooses.

Talking_Monkey
Apr 2, 2009 at 8:59 a.m.
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Hmmmm... Instead of trying to control other's actions and opinions, how about controlling your own selves? Life would be better for ALL of us AND you would have more energy to focus on a future without all the drama... Yeah, it WOULD be nice to see people commenting without the perceived personal attacks. Have a great day, y'all :)

carlitosway
Apr 2, 2009 at 8:16 a.m.
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They did arrest the 3 guys but disabled the comments on that article. Parker high school is also aware of this idiot and now maybe the can push the charges on him Victer Garcia known as loco is one guy that doesn't belong on the streets and does't deserve one of Rock Counties well known plea deals either. With my knowing what he is capable first hand as to seeing my nephew with black eyes and cut and swollen fsce and seeing the fear he had when "loco" was after him and his friends and many other young kids, afraid to go to school because Loco and his gang were at the bus stop waiting to get them. IMO because of this idiots reputation, If Janesville and the DAs office give him what he deserves in court for his criminal behavior, it just might send a message to other gang members they are not taking the gang crap anymore and that they are Serious in their effort to end gangs, their violence and behaviors........just my opinion.Also In the Garden Dtive incident there was a gun invovled . I wonder if they were maybe involved with the incident on Ravine a couple of weeks ago just a ponder,

BostonBill
Apr 1, 2009 at 2:28 p.m.
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hannah said that half the time spell check doesn’t know what she is talking about.
.
I must be spell check. (just kidding hannah *s*)

rep_of_1
Apr 1, 2009 at 2:23 p.m.
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No worries hannah, it's down to tacks,pins and needles...I've planted my garden, sewn my seeds.

hannah
Apr 1, 2009 at 1:47 p.m.
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rep_of_1- I see the police are leaving me alone for now. It is your turn. I am sure they'll be back for me soon though. spell check doesn't do grammar and half the time doesn't know what I am talking about so it can be fixed. If the word is wrong but spelled correctly it wont pick that up either.

h0rselvngrl
Apr 1, 2009 at 10:01 a.m.
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I love reading the remarks when they are completely off of the subject and have nothing to do with the article, thanks for the LOL :)

mickie
Apr 1, 2009 at 9 a.m.
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Oh my gag...lol

beeferer
Apr 1, 2009 at 8:59 a.m.
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LOL warm. Good one!

mickie
Apr 1, 2009 at 8:53 a.m.
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No.No Warm- really do not need your applause..LOL.. I can see that you may need some coffee this am..Obviously- people do not have a sense of humor such as you..But I am humbled by your educated comment as well..Hypocrite..lol..

mickie
Apr 1, 2009 at 7:51 a.m.
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Wow Spacejam- a little drunk this morning? It seems you posted this thing to Sarah whoever all over...Come back from space, you will feel better..lol

spacejam
Apr 1, 2009 at 1:11 a.m.
(This comment was removed by the site staff.)
mickie
Mar 31, 2009 at 8:31 p.m.
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Well local- hopefully they will have the correct address then...

anotherdoor
Mar 31, 2009 at 8:20 p.m.
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We're not too worried--two dogs (one a rottie mix), a 9mm, a 357, and several rifles & shotguns. I was trained to aim for the neck & I'm a good shot. So is my husband.

localboysince1968
Mar 31, 2009 at 8:20 p.m.
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Funny, I never had a bunch of people knock down my door and beat me with a rifle when I was 25. Oh yeah, I was working hard then. Too busy to be wrapped up in wrong doings. Are we supposed to be sympathetic to this guy? I am not sure the intent of the article.

rep_of_1
Mar 31, 2009 at 7:46 p.m.
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HeadOn...apply to forehead. So you can spell, wow that is an amazing talent. Would like a cookie or a bozo button?

latinmami2
Mar 31, 2009 at 7:41 p.m.
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anotherdoor - that is a little scary that he is using your address YIKES

beeferer
Mar 31, 2009 at 6:52 p.m.
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rep_of_1- "something"- not "some thing". (Getting a headache from slapping my forehead again!)

Bellagio_Bound
Mar 31, 2009 at 6:50 p.m.
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jinx sarah, you owe me a coke.

Bellagio_Bound
Mar 31, 2009 at 6:49 p.m.
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anotherdoor, maybe he is secretly living in your attic.

SarahB1
Mar 31, 2009 at 6:49 p.m.
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anotherdoor: Sounds scary. I would be checking my "crawl space" and attic if I were you.

anotherdoor
Mar 31, 2009 at 5:17 p.m.
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I want to know who this Isaac Cortez is. Several weeks ago, several Rock County deputies came to our house looking for him. Apparently, he gave them our address as his; and the phone number he gave was only one digit from ours. We've lived here for over 20 years, btw, so it was not a mistake!

mickie
Mar 31, 2009 at 5:09 p.m.
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OMG- you peolpe have no sense of humor!! LOL..Sausage..still laughing..

Mikki
Mar 31, 2009 at 4:37 p.m.
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Wow, let me just go look up posts from DAYS ago on other blogs to prove a point.
Beeferer was simply explaining why someone's post was removed. That's all.
Settle down.

latinmami2
Mar 31, 2009 at 4:11 p.m.
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i sense a cat fight about to break out.

mickie
Mar 31, 2009 at 4:09 p.m.
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So Beefer- your comment you posted on March 29, at 9:31 am quote-
" As far as biggirl's comment, well if people aren't drunk and they drive the way they do when I see them, then they need to be arrested for driving like a sausage."Unquote--- you meant sausage, or was that a small term for a larger kinda link?? LOL...Wow...Pot-Kettle..

Anyways, still stand firm on my beliefs with "vigilantism".. And, yes- two wrongs dont make a right.

coyote
Mar 31, 2009 at 4:08 p.m.
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All I know is that if someone breaks into my home for any reason; BOOM!!! and I don't mean "out goes the lights".

rep_of_1
Mar 31, 2009 at 3:47 p.m.
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Just off the press, beeferer nominated chief of the spelling police. Great spelling perfection and perfection in arrogance. If you have some thing to add to the blog great. Do so with out being a hypocrite as we all have and will make spelling errors.

beeferer
Mar 31, 2009 at 3:41 p.m.
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You cannot sew seeds. You'll surely damage your needles. {Slapping forehead!}

beeferer
Mar 31, 2009 at 3:37 p.m.
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EVEBOY_E- Did you read the part under "Before you post a comment, consider this:" Don't say you cannot believe your comments were removed. You know what you wrote and it goes directly against "Creative spelling of such terms or implied use of such language is banned, also." The Gazette is a responsible business and they mean what they say. If you can't abide by their terms then face the consequences.

tallman
Mar 31, 2009 at 3:19 p.m.
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I have a great idea for when and if the 3-5 attackers are caught. While they are in custody awaiting court, let all the Rock County Police Officers use them as attackers totally unpadded, in their DAT defensive traning. That would be cool as then the officers would have real and deserved attackers to pratice on.

rep_of_1
Mar 31, 2009 at 3:12 p.m.
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Mickie if you hang out/deal/have an affair with people of bad character what do expect the result to be?
So yes, you do reap the seeds you sew.
Second,"not so much the vengeance the armed gunman sought after" hope that clears it up again. Kinda silly yep, damn silly to defend someone against the pollution they associate with. 2 wrongs don't make a right and the gunmen will get the book but the victim could be just as guilty to another degree.

mickie
Mar 31, 2009 at 2:28 p.m.
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Stirring the pot? You reap what you sew??.. No, you have it all wrong.. But your remarks are kinda silly.. Shouldnt matter if this is over drugs or a woman. (also if it is drugs- hopefully they stamp that out too). I am saying that the thugs who broke in to do bodily harm, if not death should be up for attemted murder.. So you fools out there think if you give somebody the finger in your car, or lets say your having an affair- that someone should be able to take their own justice upon you?? That you deserve what you get?..lol... I bet you`d be crying a different song if 3-5 guys in ski masks broke in and beat the daylights out of you..

latinmami2
Mar 31, 2009 at 1:56 p.m.
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it is horrible what has happened to this man but at the same time if he is involved in something that he should not be then that is a risk he took on his own

rep_of_1
Mar 31, 2009 at 1:40 p.m.
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mickie you reap the seeds you sew! That is what I'm saying. Guilt by association. I hope the truth gets sorted if there is any illegal drug dealing going on they all deserve punishment by court of law not so much the vengeance the armed gunman sought after. But you already knew this I'm betting, trying to stir the pot where you?

EVEBOY_E
Mar 31, 2009 at 1:31 p.m.
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I can't believe my comments were removed. All I said was those guys were cowards and I'm glad I have the means to protect myself and prevent form being a victim.

bennetonf1
Mar 31, 2009 at 1:16 p.m.
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Quoted from the article:
"The men targeted Brown and went into his bedroom"
"The attack might have been over a woman or a drug debt"
"The home invasion was not random, he said, and the suspects and Brown likely knew one another."
.
-You reap what you sow.

hannah
Mar 31, 2009 at 1:11 p.m.
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so was it 3 or 5. who cannot count? was it confusing because they were all dressed the same? I am wondering too where the assumption of woman or drug debt came into play.
Youre correct nobody deserves to be beaten but as somebody mentioned you gotta pay to play. I would hope this guy gets out of this house and away from his "friends"/ roommate when he gets out of the hospital.

beeferer
Mar 31, 2009 at 12:57 p.m.
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EVEBOY_E's remarks

mickie
Mar 31, 2009 at 12:45 p.m.
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LOL-beef- are you targeting my "wuusies" remark..LOL

mickie
Mar 31, 2009 at 12:44 p.m.
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oooops- that last remark was meant for bennetom- not rep.. sorry!

beeferer
Mar 31, 2009 at 12:42 p.m.
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Keep it clean. Comments that are obscene, vulgar or sexually oriented will be removed. Creative spelling of such terms or implied use of such language is banned, also.

mickie
Mar 31, 2009 at 12:31 p.m.
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rep- so are you saying this fellow deserved this because of what shady happenings might have been involved? I hope not. IMO- none of why these idiots did this should matter. Its the fact that these men broke into to this home to do damage, possibly fatal.. Idiots like this could go from driving down the road having a bit of road rage with YOU or ME, then follow us home -come back later for a bit of revenge.. They feel above the law and feel they can serve their own justice..Little wanna be gang bangers, pukes.

rep_of_1
Mar 31, 2009 at 12:24 p.m.
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Let me guess none of his roommates ( friends would of kept him away from drugs) couldn't of called 911 right away because why? Even if they didn't speak they could of muted the phone to let the 911 dispatchers know some thing is going on.
Their roommate was getting beat in his room while they were concerned with concealment I'm betting.
Hope this is a good wake up call to all involved.

SwissChick
Mar 31, 2009 at 12:15 p.m.
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bennetonf1 - I totally agree with you. He needs to take a different direction in life.

mickie
Mar 31, 2009 at 12:15 p.m.
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I dont care what it was over, these gang bangers need to be held accountable. Of course others would stay out of it with guns etc.. involved. So everyone speculating about why they didnt do this or that- shouldnt. Theres always more to a story, and then the truth. However these thugs broke into a home to commit this act, to me this would be attempted murder. I hope they catch these wussies.

wannabe30
Mar 31, 2009 at 12:01 p.m.
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I would hope that I would help my friend or anyone else who may be in danger, even if they would have snuck out and got help. I hope that I would help but we do not know all the facts. Again, I hope he will be ok and learn something.

MY2CENTS
Mar 31, 2009 at 12:01 p.m.
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and why didn'y the roommates call 911 afterwords?

carlitosway
Mar 31, 2009 at 11:49 a.m.
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Regardless what it was these cowards need to face severe charges. It is good he survived, As to his friends not helping, what would you do with 3 to 5 armed men with a gun? I value my life and am usually faithful to my friends but to be shot or beaten as a possibility of trying to help I think I would sit my azz down and pray I don't become their victim also. They did flag down police with him after the threat was not in their face. People can talk tough until the "tire actually meets the road" and common sense kicks in as to will I die or be beaten if I try to help. IMO they made the right choice and got help when they were able to do so.

wannabe30
Mar 31, 2009 at 11:36 a.m.
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Someone needs new friends and maybe a new life. Still scary hope he is ok and learned something.

formerjanes
Mar 31, 2009 at 11:22 a.m.
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A woman or a drug debt? The fact that no one called 911, tells me it was the latter.

bennetonf1
Mar 31, 2009 at 11:16 a.m.
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It's simple...don't play if you can't pay. I'd say it was a result of his associations. Oh, and thanks again for the map!

latinmami2
Mar 31, 2009 at 11:05 a.m.
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DANG -cant even be safe in your own home anymore

browntown96
Mar 31, 2009 at 10:53 a.m.
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Note to self: Don't have friends/roommates that sit by and watch you get assaulted. Nice.

SarahB1
Mar 31, 2009 at 10:09 a.m.
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No phone? Roomies couldn't even dial 911 for the guy while he is being beaten?

EVEBOY_E
Mar 31, 2009 at 10:08 a.m.
(This comment was removed by the site staff.)

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