UPDATE: Madison Purse Snatching

UPDATE: Madison Purse Snatching - ARREST

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UPDATE Posted Friday, April 25 --- 10:40am

Here is the official Incident Report from Madison Police Department:

On Thursday evening, April 24, 2008, around 8:45, Madison Police arrested Mr. David Blank at his Madison residence for Armed Robbery. Descriptions given by the victim and another witness led to his apprehension.

It should be noted that the victim in this case, a 26-year-old Madison woman, was very traumatized by this crime.

While trying to put groceries in her car the suspect is believed to have slashed one of her car tires, and then point a knife very close to her chest. He demanded her purse, and she thought she might die if she did not give it up.

She told a responding officer, "It's traumatic. It's going to stick in my brain. I'm going to wonder when something like this is going to happen to me again."

__________________________________________________

POSTED: Saturday, April 19, 2008 -- 10:30pm

Woman's purse stolen at knife point in supermarket parking lot.

It happened just before 7:30pm Saturday at the Woodman's on Milwaukee Street.

Police say the man slashed the woman's car tire and then took her purse. She was not hurt.

The suspect is described as a white male, 20-30 years old, 5'10", 190 lbs, brown hair, wearing a red shirt and blue jeans. He fled in a maroon vehicle.

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Comments are posted from viewers like you and do not always reflect the views of this station.

Posted by: B on Apr 26, 2008 at 01:53 PM
Cops can't be everywhere at once. Do think this guy would have done this if a cop was standing next to this woman anyway?? Be real. Carry mace, carry a gun, don't shop late at night, shop in pairs....on and on. Glad they caught the idiot. Make him pay very high restitution including psychological services for him traumatizing her.

Posted by: Ralph Location: Madison on Apr 25, 2008 at 04:40 PM
Hey Annon 1:52: Stop blindly defending the Mayor and look at the facts and statistics. Did you read Mayor Dave's State of the City address and then compare it to unbiased statistical data? I did. Maybe you should be more informed.

Posted by: Anonymous on Apr 25, 2008 at 01:52 PM
Ralph - get a clue...maybe a job. run for mayor? you make it sound so easy

Posted by: Anonymous on Apr 25, 2008 at 01:04 PM
To anon 4/25@1100. Do you really expect police to be EVERYWHERE at EVERY moment? COme on get real. Should a cop follow every person around at all times? Yes police should be protecting us but they can't be everywhere. People need to start being more aware of thier surroundings. Be proactive of your safety. Like amazed said, you need to look out for number 1!

Posted by: coincidence Location: madison on Apr 25, 2008 at 12:18 PM
Yeah marisa there is only ONE white male, 20-30 years old, 5'10 and 190lbs in the Madison area... this is a college town and there are thousands of them! Glad you are not a cop- you would just arrest anyone based on NOTHING.

Posted by: Ralph Location: Madison on Apr 25, 2008 at 11:45 AM
Well, the MPD finally caught someone. Mayor Dave, you should take credit for this like you take credit for everything else you have nothing to do with. Our Mayor is out of touch.

Posted by: Anonymous on Apr 25, 2008 at 11:00 AM
Unless citizens are armed, it IS THE POLICE WHO SHOULD BE PROTECTING US!! Come on, we can't blame ourselves for there not being enough police to protect citizens. The mayor thinks that Madison is a very safe city - BUT HE IS FROM MILWAUKEE!! The only thing that can be done is to pressure the Mayor to provide enough police. You want to get involved in your community? Get involved in where the money goes!

Posted by: D Location: Madison on Apr 22, 2008 at 08:34 AM
would=wont

Posted by: D Location: Madison on Apr 21, 2008 at 01:29 PM
Woodmans seems to be getting bad for police calls, I know when my mother goes shopping i would let her in that parking lot alone

Posted by: amazed Location: dane county on Apr 21, 2008 at 12:40 PM
Citizens simply must band together. It's our area!! We all have the ability to make our area unappealing to the criminals that would take advantage of us. Go shopping with a friend (or friends). Present yourself as someone that is not an easy target. Carry something to attract attention (air horn or whistle), and carry it away from your bag or wallet. Carry mace, and practice how you would use it so you are prepared. Never carry any weapon that you are not prepared or willing to use, and always remember your money is replacable, but you are not.

Posted by: Rosa Location: Madison on Apr 21, 2008 at 08:00 AM
This keeps getting worse. Maybe what would help is if our law makers start showing that they care about us, instead of just saying that they do. If it wasn't for us, they wouldn't have the job they are in. The Police can't do everything, they need all of us to work together. Maybe Woodmans needs to start telling People to do drive ups, and People should start carrying belt pouches. I am so glad that that woman wasn't hurt.

Posted by: marisa Location: madison on Apr 20, 2008 at 10:11 AM
interesting that this person's description is in line with the description of the person described around the time joel was murdered with a knife. it could be coincidental of course, but still it made me take note of his description and him using a knife as recalling joel's assassin's description and that he also who used a knife.