Two University of Wisconsin students were robbed at gunpoint on the corner of Randall and Mound Streets just before 10 p.m. over the weekend.
Madison Police Department spokesperson Joel DeSpain said the incident on Mound Street is similar in nature and has similar suspects as several incidents occurring near campus over the past two weeks.
On the same night, Dean of Students Lori Berquam walked with UW Police Chief Susan Riseling from 1 a.m. to 4:30 a.m. to observe the atmosphere and talk to students about safety.
“I felt very safe on campus that time,” Berquam said. “We didn’t go a block without seeing a police officer.”
According to a police report, one perpetrator demanded the first victim’s purse, took it, and tried to get the other victim’s wallet. The other suspect appeared to be on the lookout for people coming.
The victims were a 25-year-old woman and a 26-year-old man, both from Middleton.
Police continue to investigate a possible link between a string of recent robberies near campus in the past week, DeSpain said.
Less than two weeks ago, a UW staff member was the victim of an attempted robbery near Bascom Hall.
Over the past two weeks, four robberies occurred in the Vilas neighborhood including a UW student robbed at gunpoint on Mills Street and a 22-year-old man who was robbed of his quarters at gunpoint while he was doing laundry at the Mound Street Laundromat.
“We have crime analysts,” DeSpain said. “If we’re able to determine there’s a greater likelihood of crime happening in a certain area we can add more resources there.”
Berquam walked through the campus area, including State and Langdon streets, near Witte and Ogg and along the bike paths, noting some areas are better lit than others.
But while some areas may not be as well lit, Berquam said students need to look out for each other by doing things like keeping porch lights on.
“Unless a police officer is assigned to each student, there’s no way to protect everyone at one time,” Berquam said. “We must use common sense. … By and large, I am proud of students for taking solid action.”
Berquam said police are trying to do their best to keep students safe, and jokingly asked “Could criminals please stay off the street?”
The suspects in this incident were described as black males, about 5 feet 8 inches tall, in their 20s or 30s. The armed perpetrator was wearing a gray hooded sweatshirt, baseball cap and blue jeans.
DeSpain said the suspects’ description is similar to the description of the suspects for the incidents on Bascom Hill, Mills Street and at the Mound Street Laundromat.
Berquam said she and Riseling approached only two students who were walking alone, but both were only a few steps from home. She said they still discussed the importance of walking with others late at night.
Students should not resist a perpetrator, Berquam said, adding if someone asks for your wallet, just give it to them.
Nothing is worth it,” Berquam said. “Your life is worth more than the money in your wallet.”
