A man was mugged on North Thompson Drive Tuesday night, in one of three recent criminal incidents that occurred this week, according to reports released Thursday.
While walking from a parking lot to the entrance of a friend’s apartment, the 22-year-old Madison resident was “sucker punched” and knocked over by one of two suspects, the incident report said.
According to Madison Police Department spokesperson Joel DeSpain, the suspect was in search of money, but after punching the victim several more times, the suspect only left with the victim’s keys and cell phone.
The suspects left the scene in a silver car, which the victim believes to be a Dodge Stratus. The victim then ran to a local convenience store, losing his shoes in the process, where he happened to find a police officer. The officer accompanied the victim back to the scene, recovered his shoes and called in a police dog. The dog was unable to pick up a scent on the suspects.
The report describes the first suspect as a 20-year-old white male of average build, wearing a gray hooded sweatshirt. The second suspect, described as a 20-year-old black male, 5 feet 10 inches tall with a heavy build, was on the lookout throughout the mugging.
An additional incident was reported Friday afternoon involving suspicious activity on North Thompson Drive by a man driving a white and red van with red badger decals on the sides and back.
According to the report, the suspect drove past a 13-year-old male walking home from school. The suspect then backed up his car and called for the boy to approach his window.
After the boy refused, the suspect called a second time, at which point the boy ran home and reported the incident to his dad.
The report describes the suspect as a black 30 to 40-year-old male who was bald and with facial hair.
DeSpain commended the boy on his response to the incident.
“What we teach in the schools is, if in one of these situations your gut tells you there is something wrong, run to a trusted adult right away,” DeSpain said. “Whether or not this is a legitimate enticement attempt or if he was just pulling over for directions, we’re not wanting anyone to make that decision.”
In a second robbery incident, two men were caught by a surveillance camera stealing 10 empty beer kegs from Tilted Kilt Pub & Eatery at 2:30 a.m. on Jan. 11.
According to General Manager Todd Allbaugh, the two men cut the chain locking the gate behind the restaurant. Within six minutes, the men had loaded the 10 kegs into a white 2000 to 2005 Dodge Ram pickup truck.
Allbaugh said this type of incident has happened at several other restaurants, but it is the first time at his restaurant.
He added the restaurant has re-secured its gate and will continue to use video surveillance, but said security would be improved if arms were permitted by concealed-carry legislation.
