Armed Robbery: Lathrop Street
Shortly after midnight last Saturday, a 19-year-old male was held at gunpoint and forced to turn over his cellphone and wallet on Lathrop Street.
The incident, which occurred between Kendall Avenue and Summit Avenue at 12:30 a.m. Saturday, was one of several sporadic incidents in the area that weekend, Madison Police Department spokesperson Joel DeSpain said.
The suspect, a 17 to 19-year-old black male, was wearing a dark grey hooded sweatshirt, a MPD statement said.
DeSpain emphasized the importance of timeliness when reporting a crime because police are more effective in capturing the suspect immediately after the crime occurs. He said there was a 20 minute delay from the incident and the time the victim reported the crime Saturday.
“It’s really crucial that if someone is a victim of a crime that they call 911 immediately because that immediate timing allows us a better chance to try to catch the subject,” DeSpain said.
According to DeSpain many of these armed robberies are targeting cash and smartphones for resale and typically take place late at night in areas that are not very well-lit.
Students should be aware of their surroundings, especially when walking home, DeSpain added.
“What we encourage people to do is to not walk alone. Particularly after people have been drinking, they sometimes become targets,” DeSpain stated.
Contrary to other media reports, this was the only robbery reported on Lathrop Street this weekend, the statement said.
Battery: Lathrop Street
An intoxicated Madison resident fell victim to a battery on Lathrop Street early Sunday morning in what he believes was a “foolish argument.”
The 21-year-old male was treated for facial fractures and needed multiple stitches after being beatened at 12:55 a.m., a MPD incident report said.
A witness told police he saw two white male suspects kicking the victim while he was on the ground, the statement said.
The witness said he helped the victim gather his belongings and told police he saw two other men attempt to help the victim, according to the statement said. The report also said nothing was taken from the victim in the incident.
Lt. Corey Nelson said the investigation is still ongoing.
Traffic Incident: West Gorham Street
An out-of-control van, driven by a 19-year-old who was intoxicated, struck a utility pole and narrowly missed hitting a pedestrian on the 100 block of West Gorham Street Saturday evening.
The van missed the 22-year-old victim by several feet and hit a utility pole, causing sparks to fly Saturday at 11:21 p.m, according to a police report. The van was heavily damaged and the airbags were deployed when police arrived.
The 19-year-old driver, Saul E. Ramirez, of Madison, was arrested for hit and run, violating absolute sobriety law and operating a motor vehicle without insurance.
The victim said the driver and several passengers fled the car on foot, however, police were able to make contact with the driver later, the MPD statement said.
Ramirez told police he was “way too messed up from drinking” and police found full and empty beer cans in the van, the statement said.
-Compiled by Sarah Link and Eden Finer
