Man spent night in Independence courthouse and planned to sell items, police say
A Kansas City man is facing theft charges after authorities say he spent the night in an Independence courthouse.
Wilber Mateo is charged with one count each of first-degree burglary and stealing $750 or more, according to a Jackson County court document.
On Oct. 3, Jackson County Sheriff’s deputies responded to the Eastern Jackson County Courthouse in Independence on reports of a burglary in progress, according to a probable cause statement in support of Mateo’s arrest.
That morning, the probable cause statement revealed, an employee approached a deputy stationed near the front desk of the courthouse and reported she had observed a man in the judge’s chambers.
The deputy found Mateo outside the chambers and took him into custody. The probable cause statement alleges the man had four insulin syringes, a Jackson County lanyard containing “several Jackson County identification cards,” on his person.
Mateo also had several items authorities said were taken from the courthouse, including a “small brass dog statue, several pens, and a sticky note with login credentials written on it,” according to the probable cause statement.
The witness also advised deputies that three bags were placed near an exit door in the building, which also contained stolen items from the judge’s chambers, according to the probable cause affidavit. In the bags, deputies located office supplies, data storage media, electronic devices, laptops and more login information.
In the probable cause statement, authorities state that Mateo entered the courthouse around 3 p.m. on Oct. 2. He spoke with staff at the criminal records desk before walking to a stairwell in the north side of the building, where he walked out of view of cameras.
He was last seen on surveillance footage around 7:30 p.m., “well after the courthouse had closed for the day,” according to the probable cause statement. He then allegedly entered a courtroom.
Mateo seemingly exited the courtroom at 7:15 a.m. wearing a judge’s robes and holding the three bags, the probable cause statement alleges. He attempted to exit the courthouse, but was unable to do so.
An investigation revealed Mateo attempted to pry open a closet door with two letter openers and a screwdriver, according to the probable cause statement. Two pictures were taken from frames.
In an interview with deputies, Mateo admitted to staying at the courthouse, according to the probable cause statement, “knowing he should not have done so.”
The statement says Mateo told officers he planned to sell the items stolen from the courthouse.
Mateo is set to appear for a bond review hearing on Oct. 14, according to a Jackson County court document. He is being held in the Jackson County Detention Center on a 10%, $150,000 bond, according to the jail’s inmate roster.
This story was originally published October 6, 2025 at 6:59 PM.
