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Crime

UW Police Teach Cycling Safety Before Handing Out Tickets

For the next month, University of Wisconsin-Madison Police officers will be conducting concentrated bicycle education and enforcement throughout the campus.

Officers will conduct a period of education contacting cyclists for various violations. Individuals contacted during this education period will be provided information on the violation and how they can improve their safety.

Two Arrested Following Campus Traffic Stop

A Marshall man faces a felony operating a motor vehicle while intoxicated charge following a traffic stop on the University of Wisconsin campus Wednesday night.

Bradley R. Wolf was arrested following the traffic stop at about 11:30 p.m., according to police. They said this is Wolf's fifth OWI arrest.

He also faces charges of operating after revocation.

A passenger of the vehicle, Latrice R. Brooks, of Madison, was arrested on charges of possession of drug paraphernalia and a probation hold. 

Wolf and Brooks were both booked into the Dane County Jail.

Bucky Badger's Head Stolen At House Party

A downtown party involving a student who plays the role of mascot Bucky Badger for the University of Wisconsin resulted in a real problem once the party was over.

The student said he and his roommates had a get-together with friends at their West Gilman Street apartment Sunday night, and that his 28-pound Bucky head was missing when he awoke Monday morning.

The student contacted school officials and the Madison police. He said that if the $4,000 mascot head was returned unscathed, there would be no desire to pursue criminal charges.

Whoever removed Bucky's head may have had second thoughts. On Tuesday morning, the head was found outside the apartment undamaged.

Man Accused Of Attempted Theft In Downtown Parking Ramp

The Madison Police Department has asked the public to help identify a man captured on surveillance photos.  

He is accused of  breaking a car window of a vehicle parked in the State Street Capital Ramp at 212 N. Carroll St. on Friday about 7:20 a.m.

Police said the man is suspected of using some type of metal object to break a car’s window, but what he didn't know is that there were two people sleeping inside the car. 

Police said when he realized they were there sleeping in the vehicle, he took off. 

Anyone with information on the identity of the suspect should call Madison Area Crime Stoppers at 608-266-6014.

Madison Police Respond To Strong-Armed Robbery

Madison police responded to a pair of strong-armed robberies on the 200 block of Bassett Street at about 2 a.m. on Wednesday.

Police said two black men, 18-25 years old approached a 20-year-old and a 21-year-old and offered to sell them marijuana.  As they approached they hit the victims, knocking them down and going through their pockets.  Police said one of the men's cell phone was stolen.

The two men then headed south on North Bassett Street and used a similar approach targeting three 19-year-old men.  The three suffered minor injuries, according to the report.

Madison police describe the first man as under 6-feet tall, about 150-170 pounds with short dreadlocks and wearing a red sweatshirt.  The second man was described as wearing a white T-shirt with a gray design on the shirt.

35-Year-Old Madison Man Accused Of Identity Theft

Madison police started an investigation following the report from a 22-year-old downtown Madison woman who had her credit card stolen.

An officer was able to use bank documents specifying the exact times and locations that the stolen card was used.  The officer was able to identify a possible suspect, who was identified as 35-year-old Kenyatta Wright.

Wright's alibi fell through and police made the arrest, according to the police report. The report also said that Wright was arrested for possession of narcotics.

Police said in this case of identity theft, Wright was able to obtain access to the victim's bank card.  They warn people to pay close attention to personal affects when in public.

Madison Man Sentenced In Marijuana Grow Operation

A former UW student will serve nearly three years in federal prison for a large marijuana grow operation.

Curtish Fautich and Zachary Czerkas were arrested in April for growing hundreds of pot plants in Madison’s Secret Places neighborhood, which is near McFarland. Officials said they seized more than $1 million worth of plants and call it one of the largest grow operation busts in recent memory.

On Wednesday a judge sentenced Faustich to 33 months in federal prison, four years of supervised release and a fine of $100. Czerkas is scheduled to go on trial next month.