Police arrest three Janesville residents for suspected armed robbery during a drug sale and chase

MADISON, Wis. (WMTV) – Officers arrested three Janesville residents over the weekend after an alleged drug sale turned into a police chase, Janesville police reported.

Janesville Police determined a 50-year-old suspect allegedly attempted to purchase marijuana from an unknown person Sunday afternoon. The two began arguing and the 50-year-old allegedly pointed a gun at the person and an 18-year-old.

The 50-year-old suspect and his roommate, an 18-year-old Janesville resident, allegedly took a backpack containing marijuana from the victim and ran into a building in the 2400 block of Delaware Drive.

Police said a third suspect, a 27-year-old Janesville man, showed up after a short time in what was believed to be a stolen vehicle and handed over the backpack to flee before officers responded to the scene.

The Rock County Communication Center reported receiving several calls about a man holding a gun to another person's head in the 2400 block of Delaware Drive around 7:45 p.m. Officers found the 27-year-old suspect carrying the backpack as he ran from a home to a vehicle.

JPD reported that officers identified themselves and ordered the suspect to stop. The 27-year-old allegedly did not follow directions and drove through the yard toward South Crosby Avenue.

The suspect was driving north toward W. Court Street and an officer attempted to stop him, but the suspect allegedly continued driving and accelerating.

JPD reported that as the 27-year-old pulled into the parking lot of the Mercy Health Mall at 1000 N. Washington Street, an officer side-slammed the suspect's vehicle to stop it.

Officers arrested the 27-year-old suspect and searched the backpack. Police reported finding three firearms and more than 700 grams of suspected THC material.

JPD said the 27-year-old suspect was charged with fleeing and eluding an officer, resisting or obstructing an officer, carrying a concealed weapon, possession with intent to deliver THC, recklessly endangering safety and operating a vehicle without the owner's consent is charged and attempting or assisting a criminal by concealing evidence.

The 50-year-old Janesville resident is charged with first-degree recklessly endangering safety, armed robbery, carrying a concealed weapon, possession with intent to deliver THC, false imprisonment and two counts of possessing a firearm as an alien felon.

Police added that the 18-year-old suspect is charged with possession with intent to deliver THC, armed robbery as an accessory to a felony, and false imprisonment as an accessory to a felony.

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