Uber driver stabbed multiple times by passenger, suspect arrested | crime

MADISON (WKOW) — Madison police report an Uber driver was stabbed multiple times in the parking lot of an East Side Target Monday evening.

According to MPD Lt. Jason Ostrenga, officers were called to the Target parking lot at 4301 Lien Road for an injured man around 8:40 p.m.

Ostrenga said the victim ran to the front door of the store, where shoppers called 911.

“There were some citizens who tried to help him, including a nurse,” Ostrenga added.

Officers responded and discovered that the man appeared to have multiple stab wounds to his upper body and was bleeding profusely.

The 52-year-old victim was taken to hospital where he required surgery for his injuries.

“The last thing I heard probably at 3 a.m. today was that the victim was stable,” Ostrenga said. “He had multiple injuries to his body from a sharp instrument and possibly a knife.”

MPD detectives began investigating and learned that the victim was an Uber driver who had picked up the suspect down the street from the Target.

“They almost came to a standstill. We suspect the suspect tried to walk the victim a little around the corner from Target in the parking lot, but the speed was very slow, slow enough that after the victim was stabbed, the suspect “I could jump out of the back seat “, sit in the driver’s seat and take off,” Ostrenga explained.

Ostrenga told 27 News they notified law enforcement agencies across the state and the Racine County Sheriff’s Office discovered the stolen car.

“He (a deputy) attempted to initiate a stop, the vehicle stopped briefly, but then he drove off and a pursuit ensued that probably lasted about 5 to 10 minutes in Racine County where deputies eventually successfully deployed spikes.” Ostrenga said. “The car ended up landing on its rims.”

The sheriff’s office and Wisconsin State Patrol arrested the suspect.

Ostrenga said Antonio Rodgers, 22, was booked into the Racine County Jail and is expected to be transferred to the Dane County Jail on Tuesday afternoon.

MPD reports that the suspect and victim did not know each other before the attack and Rodgers had no clear ties to the Madison area.

“It is extreme that car theft is occurring,” Ostrenga added. “I know anyone can be a victim, but this gentleman who was stabbed and almost killed has a family, a wife and is trying to make some extra money.”

He said it was scary and worrying.

“I wish I had an explanation,” Ostrenga told 27 News. “People use Ubers, Lyfts and taxi drivers all the time, so it’s concerning that someone would blatantly do something like this.”

The stabbing remains under investigation.