Two downtown businesses were targets in similar armed robberies Sunday afternoon and, as of Monday evening, police had yet to release whether they were related crimes.
The Peacock, located at 512 State Street, and Fraboni’s, located at 822 Regent Street, were both robbed between 11:16 a.m. and 12:43 p.m. Sunday afternoon by a black male in his 30s with a mustache. The robberies did not result in any injuries, according to police.
A security video at Fraboni’s caught a picture of a man walking up to the cashier and cash register at the counter and passing the cashier a note that read, “I have a gun, give me your money,” according to owner Steven Fraboni.
Fraboni said the cashier gave the robber cash and then the suspect took money from the register before leaving the store on foot. He would not say how much money the suspect stole.
“It’s a violation. It scared the hell out of the kid,” Fraboni said.
At The Peacock, police said the suspect told the clerk he had a gun and demanded money before leaving the store on foot. Storeowners did not wish to comment on the incident.
Madison Police Spokesman Larry Kamholz said there were similar details in each case, but police are treating them as separate incidents until investigators reach a different conclusion.
Kamholz also said police have not made any arrests or had any suspects he was aware of.
Fraboni said he was angry about the robberies because they hurt small businesses.
“Stealing from someone is horrible,” Fraboni said.