WKOW

March 12, 2014

Police arrested six people believed to be involved in what they’re calling one of the most brutal crimes in recent memory.

Madison police say three men planned a home invasion, but broke into the wrong home on Quincy Avenue on the north side around 6 a.m. on February 23. Police say the suspects were aware it was not the intended home, but they proceeded to violently attack the two victims who had been sleeping. The suspects are accused of repeatedly sexually assaulting the woman who was six months pregnant.

“I can tell you that in my 27-plus years of policing here in Madison, this is probably one of the most disturbing and heinous crimes that I’ve ever seen,” says Interim Chief Randy Gaber.

At a news conference Monday, Gaber told the media he wants to reassure the community the department takes these crimes very seriously.

Three suspects are accused of the break-in: Kristopher Hughes, 20, Michon Thomas, 22, and Eric Bass, 23. They face charges of conspiracy to commit armed robbery, armed robbery, and six counts each of first degree sexual assault.

Hughes also faces a charge of substantial battery while armed and both he and Thomas are accused of unauthorized use of an individual’s personal identifying information.

In the past week, three others were also arrested. Efemia Neumaier, 21, and DeAndre Mayweathers, 23, are both accused of conspiracy to commit armed robbery. Demarco Mallit, 22, faces charges of aiding a felon and theft.

Police say these are the only suspects in this case.

Some property was stolen when the three men left the house after about 45 minutes and some of that has been recovered. The victims fled to a neighbor’s home but did not get a response, and had to walk to a nearby business to call 911. The two were taken to the hospital and have since been released. Police declined to elaborate on the nature of their injuries to protect the victims’ privacy.

Dane County’s Victim/Witness Assistance program is helping the couple recover from the incident and hopes the community will provide support and stay positive.

“We don’t see senseless brutality like this very often,” says Julie Foley with that group. “We can help facilitate recovery just by being the community that we are.”

The District Attorney’s Office is expected to file charges and release a criminal complaint in this case on Tuesday.

********

MADISON (WKOW) — Police are releasing new details about what they’re calling one of the worst attacks on innocent victims in Madison.

Madison police say the morning of February 23, several men forced their way into a home on East Washington Avenue, demanded money and assaulted a man and a woman. Both victims were hospitalized with serious injuries but are expected to survive.

Police tell 27 News they typically don’t see crimes like this in Madison and are holding a news conference Monday afternoon to release more details of the incident. Suspects are in custody at this time.