January 19, 2023
Sexual Assault: A third stranger sexual assault was reported to Madison Police on Tuesday evening (1/17/23) in the Greenbush Neighborhood and some residents in that area are feeling anxious. A woman was walking toward Meriter Hospital when Madison Police say she was inappropriately touched from behind by an unknown man. His description matches the description provided by two other women sexually assaulted on January 11th in that neighborhood.
The suspect is described as a male Hispanic in his early twenties and wearing dark clothing.
Madison Police are asking anyone living in the area of Meriter and St. Mary’s hospitals or on Mills Street to check video doorbell security and home surveillance cameras for any evidence. You can reach Detective Sarah Korger directly at 608-229-8214 or via email at skorger@cityofmadison.com. Or submit your video online to Madison Area Crime Stoppers at P3Tips.com.
Carjacking: A woman was filling up her vehicle with gas on East Washington Avenue on Tuesday morning (1/17/23) when a man pointed a gun in her face and demanded she give them her keys. Madison Police spokesperson Stephanie Fryer said that two men then got into her vehicle and drove away.
The woman was not physically injured during the incident and the investigation is ongoing.
Theft: A crimes-of-opportunity thief or thieves checked for unlocked vehicles, entered at least one garage and stole a purse on Tramore Trail off North High Point Road on Madison’s west side Thursday morning (1/19/23). Madison Police were able to follow tire tracks and shoe prints in the snow. Anyone with information about these incidents is encouraged to contact Madison Area Crime Stoppers at 608-266-6014 or online at P3Tips.com
The Dane County Sheriff’s Office added a full-time human trafficking detective in the summer of 2022, and WKOW caught up with Dritan Lazami to talk about this under-reported crime. He said “I think there might be a misconception of not seeing it on the streets, and they [citizens] think it’s not happening.”
A bail amendment will be on the April 4th ballot after a 74-23 vote in the Wisconsin State Assembly on Thursday (1/19/23). WKOW reports, “The amendment would require a judge to consider a defendant’s potential risk to public safety, including his or her criminal history, when setting bail. Currently, cash bail is set only as a means to ensure the person appears in court.”