For those who have been watching/reading the local news or perhaps subscribe to my daily blog, you know that our City has experienced a rash of increasingly dangerous crimes, creating far too many victims! Specifically, MPD is investigating a series of armed robberies, carjackings and a home invasion that occurred in our City between November 20th and December 15th.
There are fourteen cases (in total) being evaluated based on their similarities. A synthesis of what has been occurring and the patterns or modus operandi of those crimes are being analyzed and/or aggregated for their common denominators. In general, we have identified a pattern involving a group of young African American males who are armed and masked when they approach drivers, pedestrians and/or gas station employees (*no suspects been identified nor are there persons of interest at this time). Suspects have approached drivers in parking lots of daycares and apartment complexes. We are investigating four cases where suspects called for and then robbed cab drivers; and in one case stole the cab from the scene. On December 6, three gas stations experienced armed robberies within one-hour. Finally, on December 15, an armed home invasion occurred in the South District with similar characteristics to other cases. Suspects in these incidents are armed and demand cash and valuables from the victims. Most concerning, is that in multiple cases, victims have been battered by the suspect(s).
Suffice to say, the Department has ratcheted up our efforts to put an end to these compelling and traumatizing crimes by deploying our full retinue of investigative personnel from our specialized units as well as enlisting the support of our District detectives, forensic investigators and patrol officers.
While it is not all-together foreign for robberies to increase at this time of the year, the fact that guns and physical assaults are prominent means that there is an increased sense of urgency to make arrests and for us to hold people accountable for these crimes. Anyone having tips or leads that may prove helpful are always encouraged to contact CrimeStoppers at: https://www.p3tips.com/index.htm . Your anonymity is protected and the information you provide may be eligible for a cash reward.
The information contained in my blog is derived from notes provided by MPD Officers-In-Charge (OIC) at the end of their shifts. Most narratives represent early and preliminary information that was gathered by an OIC from those in the field who were actively working cases. The OIC is sharing what they were being told, in the moment. In many instances, facts and circumstances, even the type of crime listed, can change as officers, detectives and investigators continue their work.
From 6:00 a.m. on 12/16/2018 through 6:00 a.m. on 12/17/2018, MPD received 342 calls for service. This number does not include parking complaints or 911 misdials. For purposes of clarification, the following abbreviations are short-hand for race designations: W=White, AA=African American, NA=Native American, H=Hispanic, ME=Middle Eastern, A=Asian, MR=Mixed Race, U=Unknown. MPD shifts are staggered as follows: 1st detail=7 a.m. to 3 p.m., 2nd detail=12 p.m. to 8 p.m., 3rd detail=3 p.m. to 11 p.m., 4th detail=8 p.m. to 4 a.m., 5th detail=11 p.m. to 7 a.m.
To further break down the 342 calls for service for the past 24-hours this is how the calls came in per district: Central (56), East (67), Midtown (47), North (55), South (38), West (62), and Other (17). Other=these are calls for service that either do not have a sector listed or the sector is not in the City. For example, if one of our officers assists another law enforcement agency, their sector is not listed in our districts so therefore it is listed under "other".
1) EAST: Non-Residential Burglary – 6:23 a.m. Officers responded to Pooley's on High Crossing Blvd after a burglary alarm was activated. A suspect description was developed. The suspect was identified and located (32-year-old AAM). The suspect was arrested for burglary and a probation/parole hold.
2) WEST: Death Investigation – 9:34 a.m. Officers responded to a report of a deceased subject (93-year-old WM). Nothing suspicious observed on scene. Medical Examiner's office responded.
3) MIDTOWN: Information/Child Abuse – 12:00 p.m. Officers responded to a local hospital after a baby was brought into the emergency room with injuries that were concerning. Investigation continuing.
4) EAST: Adult Arrested Person – 1:12 p.m. Officers responded to East Towne Mall for a suspect (34-year-old AAM) who had committed a recent retail theft and was banned from the property. The suspect was contacted and arrested for trespassing and misdemeanor bail jumping.
5) SOUTH: Death Investigation – 1:46 a.m. Officers responded to a south side residence for a report of a deceased subject (67-year-old WF). Initial indicator of death is that the subject suffered a medical event. Nothing suspicious observed on scene. Medical Examiner's office responded. Investigation continuing.
6) WEST: Mental Health Conveyance – 1:49 p.m. Officers responded to a local hospital and conveyed a subject (16-year-old WM) to Winnebago on an emergency detention order.
7) NORTH: Check Person/Mental Health Conveyance – 2:03 p.m. Officers responded to the 1800 block of E. Washington Ave to check the welfare of a subject (34-year-old WM). The subject was taken into protective custody and conveyed to Winnebago on an emergency detention order.
8) NORTH: Domestic Disturbance – 9:49 p.m. Officers responded to School Rd for a domestic disturbance between two subjects (33-year-old AAF victim and 39-year-old WM suspect). The victim had visible injuries. The suspect was not on scene. Probable cause was developed to arrest the suspect, once located, for battery, disorderly conduct and strangulation (all domestic-related charges). Investigation continuing.
9) NORTH: Domestic Disturbance – 10:22 p.m. Officers responded to a north side residence for a domestic disturbance between two subjects (28-year-old AAM victim and 28-year-old AAF suspect). The victim and suspect were involved in a verbal argument which escalated. During the argument, the victim was holding their baby. The victim sustained visible marks/injuries. The suspect threatened the victim with a knife. The suspect was arrested for disorderly conduct while armed and battery (domestic-related charges).
10) EAST: Domestic Disturbance – 10:44 p.m. Officers responded to Rethke Ave for a domestic disturbance between two subjects (30-year-old AAF victim and 32-year-old AAM suspect). The victim and suspect got into a verbal argument which escalated. The suspect caused damage to the residence and physically assaulted the victim. The suspect refused to allow the victim to call 911 and broke several windows of a vehicle belonging to a friend of the victim. The victim had visible injuries. The suspect was not on scene when officers arrived. Once located, the suspect will be charged with battery, disorderly conduct, criminal damage to property, strangulation and intimidation of a victim (all domestic-related charges). The suspect also has an outstanding warrant. Investigation continuing.
11) SOUTH: Disturbance – 11:01 p.m. Officers responded to McDivitt Rd for a disturbance. Officers had been to the same location on the previous shift regarding some neighbor troubles. No charges/arrests occurred at that time. When officers responded again, probable cause was developed to arrest the suspect (56-year-old AAF) for disorderly conduct.
12) SOUTH: Check Welfare/Intoxicated Driver – 11:44 p.m. Officers responded to S. Park St/W. Badger Rd for a report of a subject/suspect (41-year-old AAM) slumped over in a vehicle and unconscious. Officers and MFD made contact with the suspect who eventually woke up and slammed on the accelerator. The suspect fled to a parking lot on Park St. The suspect was contacted and found to have a loaded handgun on him (confirmed to have a CCW license). The suspect was not cooperative with officers and was detained. The suspect was conveyed to a local hospital for a blood draw. The suspect was subsequently arrested for operating a motor vehicle while intoxicated (4th offense), eluding and endangering safety by use of a dangerous weapon (going armed while intoxicated). Investigation continuing.
13) CENTRAL: Fight Call/Adult Arrested Person – 2:16 a.m. Officers responded to Players Sports Bar on Winnebago Drive for a report of an active fight. Investigation revealed that two suspects (26-year-old AAM and 24-year-old WM) physically fought each other in a vehicle after leaving the bar. A third suspect was said to be involved but remains unidentified. Suspects were intoxicated and stories varied. The 26-year-old AAM was issued a municipal citation for battery. The 24-year-old WM was conveyed to a local hospital for a medical clearance and then to jail for a municipal citation for battery, bail jumping and possession of cocaine. Investigation continuing.