Police: Arrested Man Suspected In Recent Armed Robberies
City Officials Say Man Confessed To Three Robberies
Updated: 3:07 pm CDT March 24,2009
MADISON, Wis. -- A 20-year-old man who was arrested on Sunday is a suspect in a series of area armed robberies apparently attributed to the so-called "parka bandit."
VIDEO: Watch The ReportJustin M. Simpson was arrested on Sunday afternoon on suspicion of drug possession after being spotted by Madison police walking near Park and Wingra streets. The officer spotted Simpson who was wearing a black, puffy parka, and made contact with him. The officers said that he found a facsimile handgun and heroin in Simpson's clothing, according to a press release posted on the city of Madison's Web site.Simpson allegedly confessed involvement to three recent armed robberies -- two that occurred at the Shell gas station, in the 4800 block of East Washington Avenue, and one that happened at the Pinkus McBride Market in the 300 block of North Hamilton Street this past weekend, according to police.Madison police spokesman Joel DeSpain said that the sergeant who arrested Simpson was out on a specific patrol looking for possible suspects in the parka bandit cases."We've had a massive dragnet up, looking for the parka bandit, or bandits, over the last couple of weeks," DeSpain said. "Sgt. Chris Paulson was out --- working proactively -- trying to find someone who might match the person who's been committing these robberies. And low and behold, he sees someone in the area of Park and Wingra, who has a black, puffy coat on."Police said that at least a dozen robberies in Dane County are likely linked to the parka bandit, but there could be more.Detectives have been working to determine the extent of Simpson's alleged involvement in the string of armed robberies in the area.Simpson hasn't been charged in connection with any of the robberies.Police said that they believe the parka bandit, so named because he wears a black, knee-length parka jacket with a hood, is responsible for a series of robberies. Police are offering a $1,000 reward for tips leading to the arrest of the man.Stay tuned to WISC-TV and Channel 3000 for continuing coverage.
VIDEO: Watch The ReportJustin M. Simpson was arrested on Sunday afternoon on suspicion of drug possession after being spotted by Madison police walking near Park and Wingra streets. The officer spotted Simpson who was wearing a black, puffy parka, and made contact with him. The officers said that he found a facsimile handgun and heroin in Simpson's clothing, according to a press release posted on the city of Madison's Web site.Simpson allegedly confessed involvement to three recent armed robberies -- two that occurred at the Shell gas station, in the 4800 block of East Washington Avenue, and one that happened at the Pinkus McBride Market in the 300 block of North Hamilton Street this past weekend, according to police.Madison police spokesman Joel DeSpain said that the sergeant who arrested Simpson was out on a specific patrol looking for possible suspects in the parka bandit cases."We've had a massive dragnet up, looking for the parka bandit, or bandits, over the last couple of weeks," DeSpain said. "Sgt. Chris Paulson was out --- working proactively -- trying to find someone who might match the person who's been committing these robberies. And low and behold, he sees someone in the area of Park and Wingra, who has a black, puffy coat on."Police said that at least a dozen robberies in Dane County are likely linked to the parka bandit, but there could be more.Detectives have been working to determine the extent of Simpson's alleged involvement in the string of armed robberies in the area.Simpson hasn't been charged in connection with any of the robberies.Police said that they believe the parka bandit, so named because he wears a black, knee-length parka jacket with a hood, is responsible for a series of robberies. Police are offering a $1,000 reward for tips leading to the arrest of the man.Stay tuned to WISC-TV and Channel 3000 for continuing coverage.
Previous Stories:
- March 23, 2009: Police Investigate Two Overnight Heists
- March 18, 2009: Police Investigate Armed Robbery At Restaurant
- March 18, 2009: Police: So-Called 'Parka Bandit' Robs Tanning Salon
- March 12, 2009: Gas Stations On Alert After String Of Armed Robberies
- March 6, 2009: Police Link Gas Station Robberies To Man
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