Third stranger sexual assault reported in Greenbush neighborhood
MADISON, Wis. — Madison police are now investigating a third sexual assault in the city’s Greenbush Neighborhood after a woman reported being touched by a stranger Tuesday night.
Authorities said the latest incident happened around 6:30 p.m. The suspect reportedly inappropriately touched the woman from behind as she was walking toward Meriter Hospital.
“I don’t want people to be living in fear, but I want them to be alert and aware,” said Madison Police Capt. Jason Freedman. “Right now we’re still kind of looking at the reports and talking to people and trying to do our canvass and video and all the other factors, but nothing yet that has gotten us to where we feel like we know who this person is.”
In all three cases, the victims described the suspect as a Hispanic male in his early 20s wearing dark clothing.
Detectives working the case are asking anyone who lives near Meriter or St. Mary’s hospitals — particularly those who live on Mills Street — to check their home surveillance footage for any suspicious activity. They also asked that people report anything unusual in the area.
“We would love to be able to review that and see if we can’t connect some dots and figure out who this person is,” said Freedman. “Let’s say you see someone peeking into your neighbor’s window, we want a call on that. If there’s somebody in your alley that shouldn’t be, watch them. Is that worth a call to us? We’d rather have a call and it be nothing than not get a call.”
As of Wednesday, police were still running extra patrols in the area, which they started last week following the first two attacks.
In the meantime, they say people should be extra vigilant while walking in the area.
“I want you to be aware of your surroundings,” said Freedman. “If you can walk with somebody, I want you to do that. I don’t want you staring at your phone or having your earbuds in, and I want you listening to your gut. If someone is making you uncomfortable, or if you’re seeing or feeling something that doesn’t add up, listen to that.”
Anyone who finds themselves in a similar situation as the previous victims should call 911 immediately.
COPYRIGHT 2022 BY CHANNEL 3000. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED. THIS MATERIAL MAY NOT BE PUBLISHED, BROADCAST, REWRITTEN OR REDISTRIBUTED.
