Ill. Police Officers Find Burglary Suspect Inside Walls of Business

A business owner called Geneseo police when he heard suspicious noises. After multiple visits, officers found the culprit: a burglary suspect between the business' interior walls.

By Thomas Geyer

Source Quad City Times, Davenport, Iowa

Nov. 6, 2025

2 min read

What to know

• Geneseo police arrested a 26-year-old woman after she was found trapped between interior walls of a business she allegedly tried to burglarize.

• Officers responded twice to reports of noises before locating the woman with the help of firefighters, who extricated her safely.

• The suspect faces charges of burglary, felony criminal damage to property and criminal trespass, and an investigation is looking into possible accomplices.

A business owner called Geneseo police after hearing suspicious noises in different areas of the building. After multiple visits, officers found the culprit: a burglary suspect between the business' interior walls.

A 26-year-old Davenport woman is facing charges after she allegedly attempted to burgle a Geneseo business on Wednesday and had to be extricated from the business' interior walls, police said.

Caleigh Alexxis Ann Marie Gottsche was arrested on suspicion of one count each of burglary, felony criminal damage to property and criminal trespass to property.

According to a news release issued by Geneseo Deputy Police Chief Gene Karzin, at 5:24 p.m. Wednesday, a business owner in the 100 block of South State Street contacted police after hearing a loud noise originating from the ceiling or attic area of the business.

Geneseo officers conducted a search of the interior of the business for about 17 minutes. During the search, officers also heard a noise but could not locate its source. Officers then cleared the scene at 5:52 p.m. after no additional noises could be located.

At about 6:10 p.m., the business owner reported additional suspicious noises coming from a different area of the business. Officers returned and checked not only the complainant's business but also adjacent businesses on the same block.

Officers reported hearing whispering and movement coming from between the walls of the businesses.

At 6:36 p.m., officers were able to make voice contact with a person and determined that person, later identified as Gottsche, was between the interior walls of a business.

Geneseo firefighters were called to the scene and assisted with safely removing Gottsche from between the walls.

She was being held Wednesday night in the Henry County Jail and is expected to make a first appearance on the charges Thursday in Henry County Circuit Court.

Karzin said the investigation into the incident is continuing to determine the other individuals involved.

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