Arandas Taco Truck Worker Foils Attempted Armed Robbery in Milwaukee's Southside

Police say an Arandas taco truck worker struggled with armed robber and avoided a robbery.

By H. Nelson Goodson

Hispanic News Network U.S.A.

February 23, 2016

Milwaukee, WI - Milwaukee Police reported that they "are investigating an attempted armed robbery that happened around 8:10 p.m. on February 22 in the 3700 block of W. National Avenue.  The victim, a 30-year-old Milwaukee man, was working in a taco truck when he was approached by a male suspect.  The suspect displayed a gun and demanded money.  A struggle ensued between the victim and suspect before the suspect fled on foot.  MPD's investigation is ongoing," Sergeant Timothy Gauerke from the Milwaukee Police Chief's Office reported.
No one was reported injured and the Arandas taco truck worker is cooperating with police.

In an unrelated incident, a 35-year-old Milwaukee man died on Monday night at a local hospital after a hit-and-run by northbound white truck at 10:00 p.m. The victim was walking eastbound across S. Cesar E. Chavez Dr. and W. National Ave. when truck driver sped up to beat the light and failed to stop.

Police are looking a newer truck model with black rack holding ladders.

Police also reported that "with the help of employees at a South Side business, Milwaukee Police arrested an armed robbery suspect, already on probation for a separate crime. Just before 9:00 p.m. on February 20, a suspect walked into a business in the 2700 block of S. 13th Street, approached an employee, implied he had a weapon, and demanded money from the cash register. The employee refused and two security guards were able to detain the suspect until District Two officers arrived and took him into custody. The suspect, a 53-year-old Milwaukee man, confessed to the crime during an interview with detectives. The suspect has a criminal record dating back to 1989 and is currently on probation for an armed robbery in 2008."

In another incident, "a Milwaukee Police officer on active patrol interrupted an armed robbery in progress in a South Side neighborhood.  The officer from the Neighborhood Task Force was in his squad car near S. 12th Street and W. Greenfield Avenue just before 8:00 p.m. on February 20 when he noticed a pickup truck parked with half the truck on the curb.  Outside of the truck he saw a victim with his hands and arms raised and a suspect heading back to the truck.  The officer followed the truck and pulled it over at which time the victim, a 52-year-old Milwaukee man, approached the officer and said the truck's driver had just robbed him of his beer and used pliers as a weapon.  The officer found the stolen beer and pliers inside the suspect's car and the suspect, a 33-year-old man from Houston, Texas, was taken into custody," Milwaukee police reported.