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Four suspects allegedly rob student

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by Andriy Pazuniak

Wednesday, April 19, 2006

Madison police arrested four suspects allegedly connected to two early morning strong-armed robberies near the University of Wisconsin campus Tuesday.

According to UW Police Department Sgt. Jerome Van Natta, at approximately 2 a.m. Tuesday, the four suspects allegedly confronted a 23-year-old male UW student outside of Memorial Union demanding money.

After allegedly pushing the victim and taking a small amount of cash from him, the suspects fled on foot and were later spotted on State Street and arrested by Madison police.

Shortly before the incident outside Memorial Union, Van Natta said Madison police received reports of another strong-armed robbery on State Street.

After the suspects were detained and the cases investigated, Van Natta said the UW victim identified the suspects and further evidence linked the suspects to both strong-armed robberies.

Madison police charged two of the suspects with armed robbery and another with carrying a concealed weapon. Van Natta said charges have not yet been brought forward against the fourth suspect, however.

Though Van Natta said there were "several" robberies last fall, he said the incidents do not indicate an "increase in activity."

"There have been a number of incidents in the recent past," Van Natta said. "But, I wouldn't say there is an increase at this point."

The cases have been turned over to the UWPD detective bureau, Van Natta added, and no injuries resulted from the incidents.

According to the 2005 UWPD Annual Report — listing the police department's most recent crime statistics — there were four robbery incidents on the UW campus in 2005, up from two the year before. However, the five-year high of six occurred just one year before in 2003.

Tuesday morning's strong-armed robbery incidents happened one week after a woman was allegedly sexually assaulted on the corner of State Street and North Henry Street.