Man connected to 25-30 robbery cases in custody

Police believe man is responsible for robberies in Vilas, Greenbush neighborhoods

 

MADISON, Wis. –

 

Madison police announced Thursday at a news conference that a man they believe to be connected to 25-30 robberies in the downtown area is in custody.

Kendredge Dillard was arrested Thursday morning in Illinois, officials said. They believe Dillard is connected to a string of armed robberies and other incidents in the Madison area.

“We’re looking at possibly 25-30 cases, which is going to require an extensive amount of investigative work for law enforcement,” said Interim Police Chief Randy Gaber with the Madison Police Department.

Police said he is also connected to the armed robbery that occurred in the 500 block of West Mifflin Street Wednesday afternoon.

“What happened was he went inside his house, he didn’t lock his door behind him, and he went into the bathroom. The guy came in after he went in and he either opened the door or once my friend opened the door, a guy was standing there with a gun saying, ‘Give me your phone and your wallet,” said University of Wisconsin-Madison student Anna Golz.

Madison police said they are looking for additional suspects that may have been involved in the robberies.

The incidents police believe Dillard is connected to happened in the Vilas and Greenbush neighborhoods surrounding campus, and involve wallets, small electronics and iPhones being stolen.

UW police are helping with the investigation but they believe none of the incidents happened on campus.

“Literally hundreds of communications have come in from parents and students and staff and faculty to us saying, ‘What are you doing, what is the progress, what is the answer to this?’” said UW Police Chief Susan Riseling.

Riseling is advising people in the campus community to remain vigilant and many are taking her advice.

“I used to walk around with music all the time, but now I usually only put one in, and I’m constantly looking around. I usually don’t take out my phone because I feel like that attracts attention to you because it seems like they are mostly looking for iPhones,” said Golz.

Police are not releasing Dillards’ age or a photo because they do not want to compromise the investigation.