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Madison police released details of an attempted strong-armed robbery on Langdon Street late last month, but officials say they do not believe the case was connected with a recent wave of connected robberies in the downtown area.
Two men attempted to take a pedestrian’s phone while he was walking and texting on Langdon Street and Frances Street shortly before 10 p.m. on Feb. 18, according to a Madison Police Department statement.
The suspects attempted to grab the victim’s phone, but the victim was able to hold onto it, the statement said.
The victim was able to get away unharmed and managed to keep his other belongings. The victim and suspects did not exchange any words, according to the statement.
MPD spokesperson Joel DeSpain said the suspects have not yet been apprehended.
DeSpain also said this attempted theft does not appear to be linked to the multiple strong-armed thefts reported recently in the downtown area.
He added the series of muggings that took place a few weeks ago involved a dark vehicle and said the suspect’s description does not match the descriptions from the other incidents.
Ald. Mike Verveer, District 4, said one of the differences between this attempted robbery and other recent downtown robberies is this one happened earlier in the night.
“There are differences in the method of operation of the different crimes that have occurred,” Verveer said.
The victim was able to catch sight of just one of the suspects and described him as a black male, 5 feet 6 inches tall, between 18 and 22 years old and wearing all black clothing, the statement said.
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