An armed robbery occurred on Spring Street early Wednesday morning, another in a recent chain of robberies near the University of Wisconsin campus.
The two victims, a 22-year-old UW staff member and a 24-year-old student, were walking on the bike path near the intersection of Charter and Spring streets, when a man with a gun ran up to them demanding money.
“The Madison Police Department detectives are taking a look at this case to see if it is linked to other robberies that have recently occurred on campus,” said MPD spokesperson Joel DeSpain.
The suspect successfully took money from one of the victims, but the other had no cash on him. Neither victim was injured.
The suspect was last seen sliding into the passenger side of a dark blue Buick or Cadillac. The car’s windows were tinted, with chrome stripes along both sides and on the rear bumper.
“There are growing concerns in the area,” said Ald. Eli Judge, whose District 8 includes part of the UW campus. “There have been many strong arm robberies where weapons are used to threaten the people being robbed. Usually people, men in particular, walking alone are targeted. However, this trend is beginning to change.”
Many of the recent robberies generally occur either just north or south of Regent Street, DeSpain said.
Despite the constant warnings to not walk alone, the two victims were assaulted while walking together.
“What we are preaching still holds true, even though it is never going to be 100 percent safe,” DeSpain said. “We are still urging people to walk in groups and use the services provided by the university to lessen chances of being victimized.”
After the first victim revealed he had no money, the other victim sprinted down the street, DeSpain said. The suspect chased after him with a handgun and took his money. Both victims called 911 immediately after the incident.
The suspect, a black male between 6 feet and 6 feet 2 inches, weighing approximately 200 to 240 pounds, was last seen sporting a dark blue hooded sweatshirt, dark blue pants and a black baseball cap with the letters “NY” in white on the front. His eyes were described as “bulging,” with bushy eyebrows and a very defined jaw line.
Several of the recent robberies have involved two black male suspects. One man carries a gun, his accomplice does not, said MPD Capt. Jim Wheeler.
While police are still investigating a link between these robberies, UW Police Department continues to remind students of the ways they can stay safe.
“We want people to avoid isolation,” said UWPD Lt. Eric Holen. “There are several UW services that are available to students, like SAFEwalk and SAFEride, that we hope they take advantage of.”
If you have information about the suspect of this or any other robbery, contact Crimestoppers at 608-266-6014.
