Two would-be thieves had their efforts thwarted early Friday morning after the victim failed to fall for their alleged charade.
A Rochester, Minn. man was approached by two men near the corner of Gilman and State streets at approximately 2:19 a.m. Friday, an incident report from the Madison Police Department said.
The two suspects were said to have asked for the victim’s wallet. Upon his refusal, the suspects reached into their pants pockets and motioned as though they had handguns.
The suspects were said to have told the man, “Don’t make me pull it out, I got a heater” and “Don’t make me show the piece.”
The victim was not entirely convinced by their ruse, the report said.
The report said the victim then proceeded to put one of the suspects in a bear hug.
The other suspect attempted to punch the victim, which was countered by the victim pushing the first suspect into the second.
It was around this point that MPD officers arrived on the scene and apprehended the suspects.
Michael Graff and Devon Conklin, both of Madison, were taken into custody on tentative armed robbery charges.
MPD spokesperson Joel DeSpain said the suspects were tentatively charged with armed robbery as a result of their claims of being armed, despite no weapons being located on any of the parties involved.
The officers who apprehended the suspects were part of the Downtown Safety Initiative, which aims to provide additional patrols by MPD officers during times that have historically seen higher frequencies of crime.
“We take a look at our data, in the warmer months especially on Thursday, Friday and Saturday nights and try to find out where an additional presence would be helpful,” DeSpain said.
Ald. Mike Verveer, District 4, said the Initiative was put forth by Mayor Dave Cieslewicz and City Council after a number of assaults, muggings and robberies in the downtown area saw spikes during times when thousands frequent entertainment establishments in the area.
The initiative aims for high visibility, traveling both on foot and in squad cars throughout the downtown area, often with the Arrest Transport Van in tow, Verveer added.
In an unrelated incident, a bike cab with an estimated worth of $4,000 was stolen near the Open Pantry on Regent Street in the early hours of Sunday morning.
The cab has a recumbent seat with a bench situated on the back for passengers. The cab has a red frame with lights Duct-Taped to a black board on the rear of the cab.
The cab’s owner is offering a $100 reward for anyone who can come forward with the cab.
The owner added charges will not be pressed if the cab is returned, but if police are first to encounter it, suspects will be liable to whatever theft charges apply.
Anyone with information regarding the cab’s whereabouts is encouraged to contact Alex Jacobs at [email protected] or call him at 608-320-0696, after which the reward may be distributed.
