Want your car stolen or home burglarized? Here's how to make thieves' jobs easier

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For years, police have warned residents to lock their vehicles and homes to discourage opportunistic young thieves. At times, that advice appears to be falling on deaf ears.

Unlocked doors lead to stolen vehicle, handgun on Near West Side, Madison police say

Unlocked doors led to a stolen vehicle and a stolen handgun overnight Thursday into Friday on the Near West Side, Madison police reported.

It’s easy to prevent being a victim of car-related thefts. Here are some steps to help prevent your contents from being stolen from your vehicle.

The thefts happened shortly after midnight on South Randall Avenue, police spokeswoman Julie Laundrie said in a report.

COVID-19 pandemic limited places to go, but didn't stop Madison-area youth from stealing cars

COVID-19 pandemic limited places to go, but didn't stop Madison-area youth from stealing cars

CHRIS RICKERT

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Large fight preceding reported gunshots tops recent notable crime news in Madison area

Large fight, apparent gunshot sounds draw Madison police to North Side parking lot

Large fight, apparent gunshot sounds draw Madison police to North Side parking lot — Madison police said officers were called to a reported large fight Friday night on the North Side and what sounded like gunshots.
Sgt. Ryan Gibson said in a statement the call came in a little after 10:50 p.m. for a fight and apparent gunshot noises coming from a parking lot in the 1900 block of Northport Drive.

Milwaukee man arrested after breaking down door, assaulting woman in Elkhorn, authorities say

Milwaukee man arrested after breaking down door, assaulting woman in Elkhorn, authorities say — A Milwaukee man was arrested in a traffic stop after breaking down the door of an Elkhorn residence and assaulting a woman earlier this month, the Walworth County Sheriff's Office and Elkhorn Police Department reported.
Shortly after 1:30 p.m. on March 18, a woman called 911 from a residence on Prescott Street in Elkhorn reporting someone pounding on her door who she thought was Michael C. Budish, of Milwaukee, the two law enforcement agencies said in a report.

Sex offender wanted in Iowa arrested in Monona hotel, authorities say

Sex offender wanted in Iowa arrested in Monona hotel, authorities say — A sex offender wanted in Iowa was arrested at a Monona hotel on Friday, Monona police reported.
At about 9:20 a.m. Friday, Monona police assisted the U.S. Marshals Great Lakes Regional Fugitive Task Force and the Dane County Sheriff’s Office in taking Deiago D. Davis, 29, into custody at the County Inn & Suites Hotel, 400 River Place in Monona, Lt. Curtis Wiegel said in a report.

Man asks teens for time, robs them at gunpoint on East Side, Madison police say

Man asks teens for time, robs them at gunpoint on East Side, Madison police say — A man asked two teens what time it was, then robbed one at gunpoint Friday night on the East Side, Madison police reported.
A 16-year-old boy and a 15-year-old girl told police that at about 9 p.m. Friday in the 3000 block of Darbo Drive, they were approached by an unknown man who asked what time it was, and while the boy pulled out his phone, the man pulled out a handgun and pointed it at him, police spokesman Tyler Grigg said in a statement.

Shell casings found after gunshots reported on Far East Side, Madison police say

Shell casings found after gunshots reported on Far East Side, Madison police say — Shell casings were found after gunshots were reported on the Far East Side early Saturday morning, Madison police reported.
Multiple callers reported hearing shots shortly after 1:15 a.m. Saturday in the 4700 block of Cottage Grove Road, police spokesman Tyler Grigg said in a statement.

Rider pulls knife on cab driver at end of trip, Madison police say

Rider pulls knife on cab driver at end of trip, Madison police say — A rider pulled a knife on a cab driver at the end of a trip on Sunday night, Madison police reported.
At about 11:25 p.m., the rider pulled a knife at the end of a ride in the 6600 block of Raymond Road and demanded money from the driver, police spokesman Tyler Grigg said in a statement.

Milwaukee homicide suspect arrested on East Side of Madison, police say

Milwaukee homicide suspect arrested on East Side of Madison, police say — A Milwaukee homicide suspect was arrested Tuesday afternoon on the East Side, Madison police reported.
At about 2:50 p.m., Madison police assisted Milwaukee police in taking an unidentified homicide suspect into custody in the 100 block of South Fair Oaks Avenue, police spokesman Tyler Grigg said in a statement.

Man arrested after using racial slurs, threatening to kill police officers during multiple phone calls

Man arrested after using racial slurs, threatening to kill police officers during multiple phone calls — A man was arrested Wednesday morning after reportedly using racial slurs and threatening to kill police officers during phone calls to 911 and Madison police.
James A. Peterson, 52, was arrested on the 1400 block of Wayridge Drive Wednesday morning on a tentative charge of threats to law enforcement, Madison police spokesperson Tyler Grigg said. Peterson was taken into custody after an investigation and was booked into the Dane County Jail.

Man charged with second child sexual assault, ignoring no-contact order set in first assault case

Man charged with second child sexual assault, ignoring no-contact order set in first assault case — A 22-year-old Oregon man charged in January with luring a 12-year-old girl out of her home late at night and improperly touching her was charged Thursday with an earlier incident involving another girl.
In addition to a new charge of first-degree sexual assault of a child, Jacan L. Flores was charged with two counts of bail jumping, for what prosecutors said was Flores flagrantly ignoring the terms of his bail in his first case, which forbid him from having any unsupervised contact, direct or indirect, with any children.

Sun Prairie police arrest man found unresponsive behind the wheel with 2 children in car

Sun Prairie police arrest man found unresponsive behind the wheel with 2 children in car — Sun Prairie police arrested a man Thursday afternoon after finding him unresponsive behind the wheel of a car with two children inside.
Sun Prairie police, along with Sun Prairie EMS and fire, responded to the 600 block of Broadway Drive at around 3:55 p.m. for the man found unresponsive behind the wheel, Sgt. Nolan Pickar said. Officers were able to wake the man up and noticed signs of impairment.

Fitchburg police identify 2 arrested in vehicle theft, interrupted burglary, shots fired in Cross Plains

Fitchburg police have identified the two people arrested in a vehicle theft, interrupted burglary and shots fired incident in Cross Plains early Wednesday morning.

The Dane County Sheriff's Office reported that three people got into a Cross Plains garage about 2:15 a.m. Wednesday using a garage door opener they found in an unlocked vehicle outside, then fled on foot to a black Toyota Highlander after the homeowner interrupted them. The homeowner used a handgun to fire one shot in the air as they were fleeing, and they returned fire. No injuries were reported.

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Killing of 11-year-old Anisa Scott tops recent notable crimes in Madison area

11-year-old girl in critical condition with gunshot wound to be removed from life support Thursday

11-year-old girl in critical condition with gunshot wound to be removed from life support Thursday — Anisa Scott, an 11-year-old girl who has become the latest victim in a summer of surging gun violence, will be taken off of life support Thursday morning, her family said Wednesday evening.
Lorene Gomez, one of Anisa’s grandmothers, said between sobs that the family decided to remove her from life support because of critical head injuries she sustained during a shooting on Tuesday.

2 arrests made in killing of 11-year-old Anisa Scott

2 arrests made in killing of 11-year-old Anisa Scott — Two male suspects — one 16, the other 19 — have been arrested in the slaying of 11-year-old Anisa Scott on Madison’s East Side earlier this week, Madison police said Friday.
The 19-year-old, Perion Carreon, was arrested Wednesday, while the 16-year-old, Andre Brown, was arrested Friday. Both are from Madison and were arrested on suspicion of first-degree intentional homicide and attempted first-degree intentional homicide, both as a party to a crime.

'I don't want to die': 2016 video shows 7-year-old Anisa Scott praying for an end to gun violence

'I don't want to die': 2016 video shows 7-year-old Anisa Scott praying for an end to gun violence — A 7-year-old girl kneels at her bedside, puts her hands together and prays for God to put an end to shootings, killings and other violence plaguing the streets of Chicago in 2016.
“I just want to go outside and play, like a 7-year-old is supposed to do,” she says in the video. “I don’t want to die.”
Four years later that girl, Anisa Scott, was killed by gun violence in her hometown of Madison.

Police still mum on investigation in alleged hate crime, 7 weeks later

Police still mum on investigation in alleged hate crime, 7 weeks later — Seven weeks after a biracial woman told police she had been sprayed with lighter fluid by a group of white men and then set on fire, police and the woman’s family say the investigation into the incident continues.
But little information about the June 24 incident has been released as the Madison police and the FBI continue to investigate. Madison police spokesman Joel DeSpain said Wednesday that he regularly checks with the lead detective on the case, along with the department’s Violent Crimes Unit, and said it is still an active investigation.

Spree of thefts from vehicles includes smashed windows, stolen purses, Madison police say

A spree of thefts from vehicles overnight Sunday into Monday included smashed windows and stolen purses, Madison police reported.

It’s easy to prevent being a victim of car-related thefts. Here are some steps to help prevent your contents from being stolen from your vehicle.

Police spokesman Tyler Grigg said in a report that:

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Photos: Madison's most dangerous intersections, as seen from space

No. 10: Packers Avenue and International Lane

No. 10: Packers Avenue and International Lane — Number of crashes: 19
Top violation received: Failure to yield while making a left turn.

No. 9: Zeier Road and East Washington Avenue

No. 9: Zeier Road and East Washington Avenue — Number of crashes: 19
Top violation received: Listed as N/A, but the second most common violation involved inattentive driving.

No. 8: South Park Street and West Badger Road

No. 8: South Park Street and West Badger Road — Number of crashes: 20
Top violation received: Listed as N/A, but the second most common violation involved running red lights.

No. 7: Thierer Road and East Washington Avenue

No. 7: Thierer Road and East Washington Avenue — Number of crashes: 20
Top violation received: Listed as N/A, but the second most common violation involved running red lights.

No. 6: North First Street and East Washington Avenue

No. 6: North First Street and East Washington Avenue — Number of crashes: 21
Top violation received: Failure to yield while making a left turn.

No. 5: Buckeye Road and South Stoughton Road

No. 5: Buckeye Road and South Stoughton Road — Number of crashes: 22
Top violation received: Failure to yield while making a left turn.

No. 4: South Baldwin Street and East Washington Avenue

No. 4: South Baldwin Street and East Washington Avenue — Number of crashes: 22
Top violation received: Listed as N/A, but the second most common violation involved failure to yield right of way.

No. 3: North Stoughton Road and East Washington Avenue

No. 3: North Stoughton Road and East Washington Avenue — Number of crashes: 23
Top violation received: Listed as N/A. The second most common violation was tied, which involved running red lights or inattentive driving.

No. 2: Watts Road and South Gammon Road

No. 2: Watts Road and South Gammon Road — Number of crashes: 24
Top violation received: Listed as N/A, but the second most common violation involved running red lights.

No. 1: Pleasant View Road and Mineral Point

No. 1: Pleasant View Road and Mineral Point — Number of crashes: 30
Top violation received: Listed as N/A, but the second most common violation involved failure to yield.

Boy, 15, arrested 2 days after fleeing Far West Side burglary in stolen vehicle, Madison police say

A 15-year-old boy was arrested Thursday, two days after fleeing the scene of a Far West Side burglary with others in a stolen vehicle, Madison police reported.

The teen, who was listed as a runaway, was identified as the suspect in the Colony Drive burglary using home surveillance video, and arrested Thursday about 11:45 a.m. inside a Tree Lane apartment that was not his address, police spokesman Joel DeSpain said in a statement.

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Unlocked SUV with garage door opener inside stolen from Southwest Side home, police say

An unlocked SUV with a garage door opener inside of it was stolen from a Southwest Side home, along with several wallets, Madison police reported.

The SUV was parked in the driveway of the home in the 3500 block of Manchester Road when the thefts happened shortly before 8 a.m. Saturday, police spokesman Joel DeSpain said in a statement.

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Homicides, hidden cameras found in students' hotel rooms top recent notable crimes in Madison area

Judge orders competency exam for Madison man accused of killing sister

Judge orders competency exam for Madison man accused of killing sister — A judge on Thursday ordered a competency evaluation for a Madison man accused of shooting his sister to death at her home on Christmas Eve.
State Assistant Public Defender Laura Breun asked for the examination for Joseph G. Green, 57, before a preliminary hearing was scheduled to occur before Dane County Circuit Judge Valerie Bailey-Rihn.
Green is charged with first-degree intentional homicide. Police said they believe Green shot his sister, Sheila M. Green, 63, multiple times Dec. 24 at her home on South Midvale Boulevard.
Read the full story here, and a prior story on the case here.
ED TRELEVEN, STATE JOURNAL

Trial ordered for Madison man in drug deal robbery that turned into homicide

Trial ordered for Madison man in drug deal robbery that turned into homicide — A Madison man charged in the shooting death of an 18-year-old Dodgeville man last month was ordered to stand trial Thursday after a preliminary hearing.
Marcus T. Hamilton, 20, is charged with first-degree reckless homicide in the shooting death of Gunnar T.G. Holum on Dec. 14. The shooting happened in the 1000 block of Spruce Street on Madison’s Near West Side.
Hamilton is also charged with four counts of attempted armed robbery and four counts of first-degree reckless endangerment, along with felony bail jumping.
Read the full story here, and an earlier story on the case here.
ED TRELEVEN, STATE JOURNAL

DOJ seeking information on past East High School business club trips in hidden camera investigation

DOJ seeking information on past East High School business club trips in hidden camera investigation — The Wisconsin Department of Justice is looking to collect information on past trips of an East High School’s business club as part of the DOJ’s role in an investigation into hidden cameras found by students inside their Minneapolis hotel rooms earlier this month.
In a Dec. 16 email to some parents, interim East principal Brendan Kearney shared a message the district received from the DOJ regarding the law enforcement agency’s role in the investigation. The email had a subject line of: “Important Message to the Parents of East DECA Trip Alumni.”
Read the full story here, and read a past story here.
JOHN HART, STATE JOURNAL ARCHIVES

Complaint: Ex-cop handcuffed girl during sexual assaults while with Madison Police Department

Complaint: Ex-cop handcuffed girl during sexual assaults while with Madison Police Department — Police in Miami arrested a former Madison police officer Wednesday on charges he sexually assaulted a teenage girl from 2009 to 2012 while he was an officer in Madison.
A criminal complaint filed under seal on Dec. 12 but unsealed Thursday charges Morris A. Reid, 56, who retired from the Madison Police Department in 2013 rather than be fired, with two counts of sexual assault of a child under 16, three counts of child enticement, misconduct in office and making threats. All of the charges are felonies.
Read the full story here.
MIAMI-DADE COUNTY CORRECTIONS

GPS tracking system leads to recovery of stolen vehicle, arrest of man, Fitchburg police say

A GPS tracking system led to the recovery of a stolen vehicle and the arrest of a man on Christmas Eve, Fitchburg police reported.

Just after 6 a.m. Tuesday, Fitchburg police responded to a home in the 3000 block of Portarligton Lane for a burglary, Lt. Edward Hartwick reported.

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Car left unlocked in driveway leads to theft of 2 vehicles from Southeast Side home, Madison police say

A car left in unlocked in a driveway led to the theft of two cars from a home on Paso Rable Way on the Southeast Side about 1:30 a.m. Monday, Madison police reported.

The driveway vehicle was unlocked because it was believed the owner would move the car into the garage, but the car was not moved and thieves opened it, activated the garage door opener, entered the home and stole keys for both the driveway vehicle and an additional car in the garage, officer Julie Laundrie said in a statement.

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Madison police busy with vehicles left running and unattended being stolen and crashed

Madison police have been busy with crashes involving stolen vehicles, including a spectacular one on the West Beltline on Saturday night.

Others were reported over the weekend on the Far West Side and East Side, and both were vehicles left running and unattended, making them easy targets for opportunistic thieves.

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3 teen suspects in burglaries, car thefts arrested after purse snatching, crash of stolen car, Madison police say

Three teenage suspects believed to be involved in a rash of burglaries, car thefts and other crimes were arrested Friday after a purse-snatching and the crash of a stolen car, Madison police said.

Shortly before noon Friday, a woman had her purse taken while she was in the parking lot of Hy-Vee, 675 S. Whitney Way, with the robber jumping into a car that was driven from the scene, police spokesman Joel DeSpain said.

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Madison Mallards pro shop arson, fatal hit-and-run arrest top recent notable crimes in Madison area

Fire that destroyed pro shop at Madison Mallards Duck Pond was arson, authorities say

Fire that destroyed pro shop at Madison Mallards Duck Pond was arson, authorities say — A fire Thursday night that destroyed the pro shop at the Madison Mallards Duck Pond ballpark on the North Side is "being actively investigated as an arson," the Madison Fire Department said Friday afternoon.
The Fire Department is being assisted in the investigation by the Madison Police Department, the state Department of Criminal Investigation, and the federal Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives.
No injuries were reported. The fire did an estimated $150,000 in damage, Fire Department spokeswoman Cynthia Schuster said in a statement.
Read the full story here.
STEVE APPS. STATE JOURNAL

Man charged in hit-and-run crash that killed Northport pedestrian

Man charged in hit-and-run crash that killed Northport pedestrian — A tip from a relative and another about the location of a damaged vehicle led Madison police to the man they say caused the hit-and-run death of a pedestrian last month on Madison’s North Side, according to court documents.
Police were ultimately able to match debris found at the scene of the Sept. 12 crash in the 1700 block of Northport Drive with a Jeep Grand Cherokee owned by Branden R.A. Iler, 22, of Madison, who was charged Wednesday with hit-and-run resulting in death.
The pedestrian who died was identified last month as Darrell Sunderlage, 60, of Brooklyn.
Read the full story here.

Janesville gas station operator defrauded Libyan Embassy to pay tax, electricity bills, feds allege

Janesville gas station operator defrauded Libyan Embassy to pay tax, electricity bills, feds allege — A Madison man whose family owns two gas stations in Janesville was indicted Thursday on allegations that he fraudulently used bank account information belonging to the Libyan Embassy to pay state sales and use taxes and the electricity bill owed by the businesses.
Federal court documents state that Ahmad Kanan, 48, whose wife owns a BP gas station and a Clark gas station in Janesville with others in Massachusetts, used the routing and account numbers of the bank account belonging to the Embassy of Libya Military Attaché to make the tax and utility payments in 2017.
Read the full story here.
DANE COUNTY SHERIFF'S OFFICE

Truck airborne for 60 feet before crashing into roof in town of Beloit, police say

Truck airborne for 60 feet before crashing into roof in town of Beloit, police say — A man was arrested in the town of Beloit after crashing his pickup truck into the roof of a home on Saturday evening, police said.
The town of Beloit police responded at 4:26 p.m. after the driver, 37-year-old Pieter E. Bruner, struck the home on the 2900 block of S. Park Avenue. Police said Bruner was under the influence.
Read the full story here.
TOWN OF BELOIT POLICE

Madison man arrested for exchange of gunfire after dispute at State Street apartment, police say

Madison man arrested for exchange of gunfire after dispute at State Street apartment, police say — A Madison man was arrested for an exchange of gunfire after a dispute at a State Street apartment Thursday night that caused property damage but no injuries, Madison police said.
Brandon M. Buckner, 28, was arrested on a tentative charge of second-degree reckless endangering safety.
Read the full story here.
DANE COUNTY SHERIFF'S OFFICE

Man shot in face after he says estranged wife drives up to him, suspect in custody, Janesville police say

Man shot in face after he says estranged wife drives up to him, suspect in custody, Janesville police say — A man was shot in the face in Janesville Wednesday night and a suspect was arrested later in Sauk County, police said.
At about 9:30 p.m., officers responded to a report of a shooting in the 1500 block of Center Avenue and found the 48-year-old man who had been shot in the face, Janesville police said.
The man told police he was stopped at an ATM when he noticed a silver van that was being driven by his estranged wife approach him on the passenger side of his vehicle. The man said he then heard a shot and realized he had been hit, police said.
Read the full story here.
Janesville Police Department

Man hospitalized after teen brother shoots him in arm in Sun Prairie, police say

Man hospitalized after teen brother shoots him in arm in Sun Prairie, police say — A 23-year-old man was hospitalized Tuesday night after his 16-year-old brother shot him in the arm with a handgun in Sun Prairie, police said.
Police were called to an apartment in the 300 building of the Element on Main apartment complex, 311 Park Circle, at about 10:30 p.m. Tuesday for a reported shooting, Lt. Kevin Konopacki said.
Read the full story here.
iSTOCK

Second suspect in North Side homicide arrested in Mississippi, Madison police say

Second suspect in North Side homicide arrested in Mississippi, Madison police say — The second of two suspects in a homicide last month on the North Side has been arrested in Mississippi, Madison police said.
U.S. Marshals arrested Larence G. Thomas, 37, Sgt. Ryan Gibson said.
Thomas and Leearthur L. Taylor, 33, are charged with first-degree intentional homicide in the death of Malik Moss, 19, of Sun Prairie, who was shot several times Sept. 28 at the Ridgecrest Apartments on Northport Drive.
Read the full story here.
MADISON POLICE DEPARTMENT

Resident arrested for alleged arson at North Side home, authorities say

Resident arrested for alleged arson at North Side home, authorities say — A resident has been arrested for alleged arson at a North Side home on Sunday night, authorities said.
Rose M. Galloway, 34, was arrested for arson and first-degree reckless endangerment, Madison police said Monday morning.
Read the full story here.
MICHELLE STOCKER, THE CAPITAL TIMES ARCHIVES

5 Madison teens crash stolen SUV, flee on foot, police say

5 Madison teens crash stolen SUV, flee on foot, police say — Madison police took five Madison teenagers into custody late Friday afternoon after authorities say they crashed a stolen SUV and fled on foot.
According to police, a homeowner on the city’s Southwest side reported hearing a crash near his Piedmont Road home and found five male teenagers in an SUV who had just collided with a curb, flattening one of the vehicle’s tires and rendering it inoperable.
Read the full story here.
STEVE APPS, STATE JOURNAL ARCHIVES

Police: Westport homeowners confront burglars who gain entry from garage door opener in unlocked car

The owners of a town of Westport home confronted burglars early Thursday morning who gained entry using a garage door opener they took from an unlocked car, police reported.

The residents reported waking to the sounds of the burglars inside their home on Riveredge Road in the town of Westport at about 3:45 a.m. Thursday, Dane County Sheriff’s Offices public information officer Elise Schaffer said in a statement.

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Keys left in Madison cars make job easier for thieves, many of whom are teens

Some 90% of the vehicles stolen in Madison are taken after their drivers leave their keys inside them or nearby, according to Madison police.

And while there’s long been a city ordinance against leaving keys in unlocked vehicles, it’s rarely enforced due to concerns about “re-victimization.”

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Stolen vehicles

Janesville police report spree of thefts of vehicles left unlocked with keys inside

Janesville police said they have seen a recent spree of thefts of vehicles left unlocked with keys inside.

There have been four such cases in the past several nights, Sgt. Drew Severson said in a report on Wednesday.

It’s easy to prevent being a victim of car-related thefts. Here are some steps to help prevent your contents from being stolen from your vehicle.

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Wisconsin juvenile court judge facing child porn charges tops recent notable crime news

Juvenile court judge now faces federal child porn charges

Juvenile court judge now faces federal child porn charges — A federal grand jury in Madison on Wednesday indicted a now-suspended Milwaukee County judge on two counts of distributing child pornography, adding to the child pornography possession charges he already faces in Dane County Circuit Court.
Circuit Judge Brett Blomme, 40, of Cottage Grove, who was assigned to the children’s court in Milwaukee County, now faces a mandatory minimum five years in prison on each of the two child pornography distribution charges he faces in U.S. District Court in Madison. The maximum penalty is 20 years in prison.

Man arrested for arson in Stoughton laundry fire

Man arrested for arson in Stoughton laundry fire — A man has been arrested and booked into the Dane County Jail for allegedly starting a small fire at a laundry in Stoughton over the weekend.
Jonathan M. Reeves, 27, who has no permanent address, was tentatively charged with arson for the fire just after 12 a.m. Sunday at Viking Laundry, 1425 E. Main St. It took about 10 minutes to put out the fire, according to the city's fire department. The police department said Reeves was on the scene and admitted to starting the fire.

Madison man agrees to plead guilty to attempted arson following Jacob Blake protest

Madison man agrees to plead guilty to attempted arson following Jacob Blake protest — A man charged last year with two attempted arsons during violence that followed a protest Downtown will plead guilty to one of the arson charges, according to an agreement filed Monday in federal court.
The plea agreement states Willie T. Johnson, 46, of Madison, will plead guilty to the count that pertains to an attempted arson at Chalmers Jewelers, 524 E. Washington Ave., following a protest Downtown early on Aug. 25 over the police shooting of Jacob Blake in Kenosha.

26-year-old Middleton man arrested in connection with Beltline shooting that injured 1

26-year-old Middleton man arrested in connection with Beltline shooting that injured 1 — Madison police have arrested a 26-year-old Middleton man in connection with a shooting on the Beltline last week that left one person injured.
Madison police's Violent Crime Unit arrested the man Tuesday, Officer Gracia Rodriguez said. He was booked into the Dane County Jail on a tentative charge of first-degree recklessly endangering safety.

Madison police find man on ground in parking lot with gunshot wound

Madison police find man on ground in parking lot with gunshot wound — Madison police found a man lying on the ground of an East Side parking lot Monday night with what investigators believe was a self-inflicted gunshot wound.
Officers responded to a report of a gunshot and a man in the parking lot in the 3,000 block of Webb Avenue just after 8:30 p.m., police spokeswoman Gracia Rodriguez said in a statement.

Complaint: Man cites evil spirits as reason for starting laundromat fire

Complaint: Man cites evil spirits as reason for starting laundromat fire — A Minnesota man who police said admitted to setting a fire at a Stoughton laundromat last weekend said he did it to rid himself of evil spirits and a government tracking device.
Jonathan M. Reeves, 26, of Minneapolis, was charged Tuesday with arson. According to a criminal complaint, Reeves was standing near the main entrance of Viking Laundry, 1425 E. Main St., about 12:10 a.m. Sunday as two-foot flames shot out of a vent on the building’s east end.

Attorneys ask to withdraw from double homicide case; client doesn't agree

Attorneys ask to withdraw from double homicide case; client doesn't agree — The attorneys for a man charged with shooting to death the parents of the man’s girlfriend have asked a judge to let them withdraw from the case, citing an attorney-client relationship that is “irreparably broken.”
Andrew Martinez and Jeremiah Meyer-O’Day told Dane County Circuit Judge Ellen Berz on Tuesday that they want to withdraw from representing Khari O. Sanford, 19, of Madison. Sanford is charged with two counts of first-degree intentional homicide for the shooting deaths last year of Dr. Beth Potter and her husband, Robin Carre.

Medical Examiner's Office identifies man, woman found dead from gunshot wounds in Sun Prairie

Medical Examiner's Office identifies man, woman found dead from gunshot wounds in Sun Prairie — The Dane County Medical Examiner’s Office has released the names of the man and woman who were found dead from gunshot wounds in a Sun Prairie home last week.
Jan V. Hyatt, 37, and Chad A. Rury, 35, both of Sun Prairie, were found dead after Sun Prairie police responded to a welfare check at the home at 370 S. Legacy Way about 5:45 p.m. May 5.

Beltline shooting that injured teen brings reckless endangerment, illegal gun possession charges

Beltline shooting that injured teen brings reckless endangerment, illegal gun possession charges — The victims of a vehicle-to-vehicle shooting last week on the Beltline told police the incident began as a case of apparent road rage before the driver of another car fired shots that struck one of the teens, according to court documents filed Thursday.
A criminal complaint charged JB Richmond Jr., 26, of Middleton, with two counts of first-degree reckless endangerment and one count of firearm possession by a felon for the incident that happened in the east lanes of the Beltline during the afternoon of May 6.

Attorneys allowed to withdraw from double homicide case; new counsel to be appointed

Attorneys allowed to withdraw from double homicide case; new counsel to be appointed — The attorneys for a man accused of shooting a Madison doctor and her husband to death last year were allowed to withdraw from the man’s case after a brief hearing Friday.
Andrew Martinez and Jeremiah Meyer-O’Day told Dane County Circuit Judge Ellen Berz that a conflict had come up in their representation of Khari O. Sanford, 19, of Madison, who is charged in the March 30, 2020, fatal shooting of Dr. Beth Potter and her husband, Robin Carre.

Most Wisconsin county, city mask requirements nonexistent or expiring

Most Wisconsin county, city mask requirements nonexistent or expiring

It has been up to cities and counties to impose mask mandates after Gov. Tony Evers' mandate was struck down.

GOP leaders reject Tony Evers' proposal for Medicaid expansion

GOP leaders reject Tony Evers' proposal for Medicaid expansion

Expanding Wisconsin's federally-funded health care program for low-income individuals has been one of Evers' signature policy priorities.

Law enforcement announces charges for serial sex assaults uncovered by backlogged evidence

Law enforcement announces charges for serial sex assaults uncovered by backlogged evidence

Four alleged assaults listed above were linked together by the same DNA profile.

Facing possibility of another violent summer, Madison police rolling out crime-reduction strategies

Facing possibility of another violent summer, Madison police rolling out crime-reduction strategies

Midtown District Capt. Jason Freedman couldn't remember a time when police set specific goals for reducing specific types of crimes.

After Madison City Council vote, still more hurdles for test of police body-worn cameras

After Madison City Council vote, still more hurdles for test of police body-worn cameras

The council, after a marathon meeting with impassioned debate, voted 11-9 about 4 a.m. Wednesday to let the city begin preparations for a yearlong body-worn camera pilot program in the Police Department's North District

Police body cameras to get their latest hearing in Madison

Police body cameras to get their latest hearing in Madison

The City Council has been narrowly split on the technology, and the mayor has declined to take a position.

Thieves make off with 2 collector cars from Middleton dealership

Thieves make off with 2 collector cars from Middleton dealership

"I'm sure they're not professional thieves," Schoepp said. "They couldn't figure it out."

Homicides, shooting incidents were down in Madison in 2024, police say

Homicides, shooting incidents were down in Madison in 2024, police say

On Tuesday, another homicide was added to the total when police referred a first-degree intentional homicide charge against James H. Barnes-Morris in the death of Brooke L. Strattan, 24.

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