More than a dozen robberies and burglaries on the University of Wisconsin campus are being linked by a common theme: violence.
That’s according to the Madison Police Department in their robbery news conference Thursday at the Madison Municipal Building aimed at warning UW students, staff and faculty of the recent crimes in Madison.
The MPD released three sketches of suspects in recent robberies around campus. Two are wanted in connection with the June robbery on Lathrop Street and the third is suspected in the July Mills Street robbery. While police have no evidence to link them to other robberies in the area, MPD Capt. Jim Wheeler says many of the crimes have similar features.
“Perpetrations include over a dozen robberies since March 2008,” said Wheeler. “Most robberies involve two black males. One man carries a handgun, his accomplice does not.”
In a couple of cases, a weapon was implied but not seen. Sometimes suspects are masked, sometimes they wear hoodies. Most escape on foot.
The latest incident occurred this past Wednesday when a man, 22, reported he was inside his apartment on the 500 block of State Street when he heard someone on his fire escape. The suspect was attempting to break into the victim’s apartment by ripping out his window screen.
Despite the victim’s yelling, the suspect removed the screen from the window and proceeded to disable a window fan. The victim fled his apartment to call police. The perpetrator was tracked a few blocks up State Street by the state Capitol. A backpack found outside the victim’s window contained the identification of the man, 39-year-old Samuel L. Coffee III. Coffee, who has no permanent address, was intoxicated at the time and was charged with six accounts of bail jumping.
Although there has been a five percent increase in robberies over the past year, the level of violence in recent cases is causing great concern, said MPD Lt. Joe Balles.
Several crimes have taken place in areas south of Regent Street, and involve victims being targeted while they walk.
Other robberies occurred at Mound Street Laundromat, campus convenience store Open Pantry, Falbos Pizzeria on Park Street and Bascom Hill. Many incidents include gun threats, including one UW student who was pistol-whipped while another student was shot in the leg.
“Madison is a great city to live, a great city for students and a great city to have fun,” said UW Police Department Capt. Steve Rogers. He advises people to consider alternate routes when walking downtown at night. Have people walk with you and stick to main roads. Carrying a cell phone is beneficial, but it will not suffice on its own, said Rogers.
“I am fully aware of the number of doors unlocked and the number of windows left open because the weather is beautiful,” Lori Berquam, UW dean of students said. “It is an opportunity to be welcoming and inviting, but it is also inviting crime.”
Madison implemented a 24/7 Safety Campaign to provide residents with up-to-date notifications of incidents that happen in Madison, and continues to enforce efforts to educate the community about safety.
“I do believe we have a responsibility to take care of each other,” Berquam said. “I hope the staff, faculty and community members out there encourage each other to not walk alone, encourage each other to lock their doors, encourage each other to lock their windows and to take precautions to ensure that you and those you care about are safe.”
Along with increasing public awareness of robberies and burglaries, the MPD has increased the number of officers on duty on Friday and Saturday nights, and added a taxi stand to the 600 block of University Avenue to provide alternative, safe routes of travel, said Balles.
“Drug dealings are economically based; robberies are driven by opportunity,” Balles said.
The more vulnerable a person is, the more likely they are to be robbed. Back in 2006, the No. 1 target of robbers was intoxicated young males.
“If somebody wants something from you and produces a weapon, by all means, let go of what you have,” Berquam said. “Your life is far more important.”
If you have any information about victims or see something suspicious, call Crime Stoppers at (608) 266-6014. UW’s safety website is Safeu.wisc.edu.