POSTED: Friday, July 30, 2010 --- 12:30 p.m.

Incident report from the Madison Police Department:

Incident Type:
Strong Armed Robbery

Incident Date:
07/29/2010 - 12:58 PM

Address:
1301 Regent Street (Rocky Rococo parking lot)

Arrested:
William A. Franks III, age 33, Madison
Mr. Franks was arrested for 2nd degree Reckless Endangering Safety, Theft, and Strong Armed Robbery.

Victim:
Female, age 50, Fitchburg
Female, age 62, Brooklyn WI

Details:
Thursday afternoon, a 50-year-old Fitchburg woman had just finished her meal at Rocky Rococo Pan Style Pizza, 1301 Regent Street, when a man ran up and stole her purse. It was on the passenger seat of her car, and she had just rolled down the windows because of the heat.

The victim said the thief jumped into a car and sped from the area.

Around 1:30 p.m., the same suspect grabbed the purse of a woman who had been shopping at Jo-Ann Fabrics & Crafts, 6741 Odana Road. She was on her way to her car when he came up from behind. The 62-year-old Brooklyn, Wisconsin woman attempted to maintain control of the purse strap and was dragged to the man's car. He then took off with her arm still caught in the strap. The woman, tried to run aside the car, but was unable to do so. Witnesses say she was dragged 20 to 25 feet before the strap broke. She did two somersaults before coming to a rest.

MPD officers were given good descriptions of the suspect and his getaway car. Using these, they were able to make a traffic stop at Todd Drive and the Beltline. The suspect was arrested on tentative charges listed above. The second victim suffered numerous contusions and abrasions and was treated at a local hospital.