Checking recent releases from the Madison Police Department shows a disturbing trend of alleged drive-by assaults. The first two involve a group of individuals in vehicles lashing out at civilians they pass. The first reported case was on June 19 shortly after midnight near the 3700 block of Speedway Road:
On Tuesday morning, a little bit after midnight, Madison Police received a call about an injured bicyclist. The victim said he was eastbound on Speedway near the funeral home when he detected headlights coming up behind him. The next thing he knew a passenger riding in the back of a dark colored van reached out and grabbed him by his bike helmet. The victim says he was first pulled toward the van, and then pushed strongly away from the vehicle. The push caused him tumble over several times. The victim had a red flashing light mounted on the seat post of his bike, which was illuminated, and flashing at the time of the crash. Additionally, a headlight mounted on the bike’s handlebars was turned on. The bike has reflectors on its pedals. The victim was also wearing a reflective yellow vest. He reports hearing male voices laughing as the van drove off. He was transported by ambulance to a local hospital for injuries listed above. The assailants were driving a dark colored van.
The second incident occurred on June 20 just before midnight on the 5000 block of Camden Road:
On June 20, at 11:23, Madison Police responded to a local hospital where a stabbing victim was being treated. The victim reported that he and his brother had been driving on Buckeye Road that evening, listening to a new stereo system the victim had just installed in his car. He says another car, with five men inside, pulled up, and someone hurled a beer can at his car. Angry, he and his brother followed the offending vehicle to Camden Road. There parties from both cars got out, and a fistfight broke out. At some point the victim’s brother noticed the five they were fighting had knives. Additionally, another individual, apparently a friend of the five arrived on scene with what looked like a rifle. At this point the brothers decided to get back in their car and leave the area. It was after that the victim realized he had been stabbed. His brother drove him to the hospital where he was treated for non-life threatening cuts. The assailants were driving a green Intrepid.
A third case that does not involve personal injury but does involve damaged property occurred on June 20 after midnight between the 1200 and 1400 blocks of Rutledge Street:
On Wednesday morning, shortly after midnight, Madison Police received a call from a Rutledge Street resident. The resident reported a car driving down the street shooting out windows of parked cars. The responding officer located seven vehicles with windows shattered by what appeared to be BB pellets. The suspects were possibly driving a “Newer light blue mid-sized 4-door sedan.”
Anyone with information on these cases is urged to call Crimestoppers at 266-6014. Callers can remain anonymous, and maybe eligible for a cash reward.
