On Thursday, December 28, 2017 at about 12:53am, the Fitchburg Police Department investigated an armed robbery in progress at the Kelley Williamson Mobil gas station, located at 2956 Fish Hatchery Road.
A female suspect, later identified as 53-year-old Marybeth E. Welsch, demanded money from the store clerk after displaying a knife. The clerk was able to jump over the counter and exit the store before blocking the entrance doors from the outside with a garbage can. A Fitchburg officer was in the vicinity and was on scene almost immediately. The officer observed Welsch attempting to exit through the side doors and upon seeing the officer, she retreated to the rear of the store.
After ignoring multiple commands from officers to exit the store, officers entered and located Welsch hiding in the rear beverage cooler. Welsch was taken into custody without further incident. An undisclosed amount of cash was recovered and returned to the store. The knife used in the robbery was also recovered.
Welsch was booked into the Dane County Jail and charged with Armed Robbery, Disorderly Conduct while Armed, Resisting an Officer, and on a Probation Hold. The Fitchburg Police Department was assisted by a Madison Police Department K9 unit.
Prepared By: Sergeant Andrew McCarthy
Case #: 17-18354
12/28/17