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Also by Megan Costello:
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- Campus joins fight against cancer (April 21, 2005)
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- Madison records 20th bank robbery of 2006, passes previous high (October 3, 2006)
- Robberies spike in campus area (September 21, 2007)
by Megan Costello
Wednesday, September 8, 2004
Following a week of purse theft, weapon offenses and store robbery, another assault on the 200 block of W. Gilman Street has added to the list of increasing crime since University of Wisconsin students returned to Madison this fall.
A 21-year-old male UW student walked home alone at 3 a.m. Sept. 5, but was soon followed by two suspects, who approached him, engaged him in conversation and asked him several questions, according to Emily Samson, who is currently standing in for Madison Police Department Public Relations Officer Larry Kamholz. The student, however, admitted to being intoxicated during the event, Samson added.
“The victim said everything happened very quickly, but he did get a good look at the first suspect,” Samson said.
The first suspect is described as a black male, approximately 25 years old and roughly 5-foot-10, according to the police press release. Information regarding the second suspect has not been ascertained.
The first suspect turned on the victim, pushing him to the ground with an unseen object and then holding him down. The student fought back despite being surprised and intoxicated, which, according to Samson, caused the two suspects to finally flee.
During the scuffle, the victim fell onto his back pocket, protecting his wallet. However, his cell phone was stolen during the ordeal, according to the police report.
“The victim did manage to save his wallet because he laid back onto his back pocket, where the suspects were unable to reach it,” Samson said. “According to the victim, the suspect did attain some injury during the fight.”
Both suspects are still at large.
“Students should be aware of the danger, especially if they are from small towns or rural areas,” Samson said. “Be especially aware when you’re intoxicated. Be aware of your surroundings.”
To avoid assaults or theft, Samson said students should take the heavier-trafficked roads back to their residences instead of cutting through back alleys or backyards. SAFE walk and other safety features built into the UW campus are also available options, she added.
“There has been a large increase in the student body and a lot of students walk home alone, so incidents like assault have [recently] increased,” Samson said.
Jane Goemans, SAFE Nighttime Services Coordinator, said there were more walks than normal last week, but during the first week those numbers are generally higher.
“I hope there will be more walks, but at the same time I don’t,” Goemans said. “I don’t want to see more crime happen. It’s very scary to see how much is happening to students.”
Goemans noted Madison is a safe community, but the recent spark of assaults on campus is discomforting.
“Think about being out and about and know who you’re with, but really just trust your gut instincts,” Goemans added.
Anonymous (September 8, 2004 @ 5:13pm):
It seems that the suspects in all the recent strong-arm robberies and assaults are black and all the victims are white. Sounds like a string of hate crimes if you ask me. I think I'm going to go out and buy some pepper spray. I sure hope they try and pass the conceal-carry law again. White males seem to have the greatest need for protection these days.
Anonymous (September 9, 2004 @ 10:20am):
my question is, where is officer larry? the streets just aren't safe w/o him
