Madison police arrested two suspects Monday in connection with one of several armed robberies that occurred in the campus area in September.

After further investigation, police arrested Madison resident Christopher Thompson, 19, and Verona resident Alexander Teuschler, 17, for attempted armed robbery of an apartment on West Main Street on Sept. 16, according to a Madison Police Department statement.

The original incident report said police believed the crime was non-random. Additional details released Monday revealed the armed robbery was likely drug-related, MPD spokesperson Joel DeSpain said.

“One of the suspects knew at least one of the victims and specifically targeted this residence,” DeSpain said.

Ald. Mike Verveer, District 4, said police first encountered the smell of marijuana, then found an unspecified amount of the drug and other paraphernalia upon entering the apartment.

“It was a drug deal gone bad,” Verveer said.

In many similar cases, these types of crimes go unreported, Verveer said. Often the victims are afraid of the implications of being involved with illegal drugs and do not want to get the authorities involved, he said.

Verveer said he was “relieved” the victim chose to call the authorities.

“This is just the latest example of individuals involved in the drug trade being victimized by people intending to rob them,” Verveer said.

The Capitol area is not the only place near campus where these types of robberies occur, Verveer said. Similar drug-related incidences have occurred in other apartment complexes, fraternity houses and residence halls, he said.

DeSpain added the majority of the armed robberies that take place inside homes are drug-related.

The report said three suspects were involved in the robbery. Two of the men were armed with guns and all three fled as soon as police were called, the report said.

So far only two of the three have been arrested, the statement said. It said the investigation to find the remaining suspect is ongoing.

DeSpain said detectives are hopeful they will find the third suspect, but are not sure how soon this will happen.

“We are continuing to talk with the two [suspects] that have been arrested and with the victims,” DeSpain said.

Police are also continuing to examine the forensic evidence left at the scene, DeSpain added.

As for what will happen to the arrested suspects next, DeSpain said they will be prosecuted by the District Attorney’s office, who will make the final judgment on the charges they will face.