News

Thief takes cash, banana muffin

Stoughton teen confronted at bus stop in front of Nitty Gritty; suspect just walks away

A man robbed a 17-year-old Stoughton teen of a few dollars and his banana nut muffin Tuesday morning near the corner of West Johnson and Frances Street, near the Nitty Gritty.

The victim was waiting at a bus stop when a man approached, saying he wanted to see the victim’s wallet, according to the Madison Police Department report. The teen did not have one, so the suspect then told the victim to “give me what you got.”

After the victim handed over the few dollars he had, the suspect inquired about the bulge in the teen’s jacket pocket. When he then responded it was just a muffin, the suspect reached in and snatched the muffin, according to the report. The robber then walked away, last seen heading down West Johnson Street.

The report indicated no threats were made and no weapon was presented during the robbery.

However, MPD spokesperson Joel DeSpain said the suspect had his left hand in his pocket for the duration of the robbery, prompting the victim to believe the suspect possibly had a weapon.

While DeSpain characterized the incident as the lowest on the “continuum of the crimes,” he said the incident could be chalked up to the “intimidation factor” of the suspect.

DeSpain said this crime was not typical and stood in stark contrast to the kind of robberies seen recently.

“I would say it is dramatically different than the ones that had a pattern to them,” DeSpain said.

DeSpain said police believe high school students have been committing a number of recent robberies, and the police are employing recourses in “creative ways” to catch the crooks.

This incident does not fit with the other crimes, given it was an older man without accomplices and the crime occurred around 8:38 a.m.

The suspect is described as a black male of 27 to 29 years of age, 5 feet 9 inches to 6 feet tall, 175 to 200 pounds, black hair, brown eyes with the whites of the eyes being very yellow, eyebrows with shaved lines, wearing a black hoodie, dark jeans and tan boots, according to the report.