Crime

Chicago Man Faces Sexual Assault Charges After Memorial Day Party

Submitted by Scott Beedy, Channel 3000 Community Editor

Tuesday, May 31st, 2011, 11:51am

Chicago Man Faces Sexual Assault Charges After Memorial Day Party

Peaceful Memorial Day cookouts and picnics were marred Monday night on Madison's north side after a drunken Chicago man punched and groped several adults and a child, according to the Madison Police Department.

An 11-year-old boy was relaxing on a blanket with others when Darrin Johnson, 44, decided to sit with the group, police said.

Officers said that Johnson then tried to put his hand up the dress of an 18-year-old woman. When she rebuffed him, he reached for the crotch of the boy while making lewd comments, police said.

It was at this point that a 42-year-old woman, who was also on the blanket, decided it was time to pick everything up and go inside.

When she bent over to collect the picnic items, the suspect reached under her dress, police said. He then put another resident, a 48-year-old woman, in a headlock. After that he punched her in the head and knocked her down, police said.

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Copper Piping Stolen From Local Restaurant

Submitted by Scott Beedy, Channel 3000 Community Editor

Thursday, May 19th, 2011, 11:34am

Copper Piping Stolen From Local Restaurant

A faulty air conditioner required a call to police rather than a repair service on May 10 after an employee realized that copper piping from the unit had been removed.

Madison police said copper tubing was cut out of the air conditioning unit at the Prime Quarter Steak House at 3520 East Washington Avenue.

Police said an employee tried to turn on the air conditioning system and found it broken.

It will cost the restaurant about $8,000 to replace the unit, police said.

Anyone with information about the theft is asked to call Crime Stoppers at 608-266-6014.

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Sun Prairie Woman Targeted In Real Estate Scam

Submitted by Scott Beedy, Channel 3000 Community Editor

Wednesday, May 18th, 2011, 11:36am

Sun Prairie Woman Targeted In Real Estate Scam

A 28-year-old Sun Prairie woman figured out a scam before wiring any funds to Africa, but not before sending some of her personal information, according to a Madison Police Department fraud investigation.

The woman told police she was looking for rental properties on Madison's north side when she saw a Craiglist listing for a home on Browning Road.

She called the number and the person on the line had a thick accent and said he was doing missionary work in Africa and was not able to deal with her in person. Instead the man said once the woman wired him a $500 deposit, he would send her the keys.

The woman said she got a gut feeling and found the home was listed by a local real estate agent who said the home was for sale and that he had received at least 15 similar calls.

The victim did send a rental application to Africa, which contained personal information, prior to figuring out she was being victimized.

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Madison Home For Sale Used In Real Estate Scam

Submitted by Scott Beedy, Channel 3000 Community Editor

Wednesday, May 18th, 2011, 11:32am

Madison Home For Sale Used In Real Estate Scam

The woman told police she was looking for rental properties on Madison's north side when she saw a Craigslist listing for a home on Browning Road.

The woman said she got a gut feeling and found the home was listed by a local real estate agent who said the home was for sale and that he had received at least 15 similar calls.

The victim did send a rental application to Africa, which contained personal information, prior to figuring out she was being victimized.

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North Madison Resident Scammed Out Of $8,000

Submitted by Scott Beedy, Channel 3000 Community Editor

Thursday, May 12th, 2011, 2:53pm

North Madison Resident Scammed Out Of $8,000

A 78-year-old Madison woman was duped out of more than $8,000 in a recent fraud case, according to the Madison Police Department.

Police said the woman was initially contacted in early February by an email that said she had won the British National Lottery through a random drawing.

Before collecting the big prize, she was instructed to jump through a number of procedural hoops, all of which included her sending money overseas, police said. The woman began wiring cash, via Western Union, to the United Kingdom and Malaysia.

The payments were made in six installations over three months. She ended up doling out $1,000 for delivery fees, $1,500 for insurance, $1,700 for U.S. customs and $3,000 in late fees.

The woman was about to wire another $1,000 when she was advised by her bank that she was being victimized, according to police.

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Police Investigate Child Enticement Case On City's North Side

Submitted by Scott Beedy, Channel 3000 Community Editor

Wednesday, May 11th, 2011, 5:43pm

Police Investigate Child Enticement Case On City's North Side

A 9-year-old Madison boy was out playing with friends on Thursday night when a man in a blue van tried to lure him with candy, according to the Madison Police Department.

Police said the boy was with friends in the 2000 block of Manley Street when the van stopped in the road. The child told police that the man held out a handful of candy from the driver's side window and gestured to him.

The boy, who had been taught to not approach strangers, ran to tell an adult what happened.

The boy's friends were behind the home at the time of the enticement, police said.

Anyone with information is asked to call Madison Area Crime Stoppers at 608-266-6014.

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Police Investigate Robbery, Attack On City's North Side

Submitted by Scott Beedy, Channel 3000 Community Editor

Tuesday, May 10th, 2011, 5:42pm

Police Investigate Robbery, Attack On City's North Side

A 33-year-old Madison man told police he was struck with a garden tool and kicked in the head after being attacked by three men early Monday morning, according to the Madison Police Department.

The victim told officers that the assault took place in the 3500 block of Kipling Drive on the city's north side at about 3:15 a.m., but police said they have found inconsistencies in the victim's statements.

They said they have not found a crime scene. The victim was transported by ambulance to a local hospital where he was treated for non-life-threatening injuries.

Anyone with information about the attack is asked to call Crime Stoppers at 608-266-6014.

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