A Burlington man’s distinctive walk turned out to be among the key pieces of evidence investigators needed to identify him as the suspect in a robbery and attempted robbery in the area in early August.
Simon Rubio, 31, of North Pine Street, was charged Thursday in Racine County Circuit Court with robbery with the threat of force, attempted armed robbery with the threat of force – both felonies – and misdemeanor possession of drug paraphernalia.
Racine County Sheriff’s investigators arrested Rubio late morning Sept. 30 after executing a search warrant at his Burlington home.
He is accused of robbing the Rochester Public Library Aug. 6 and, a few minutes later, attempting to steal a purse from a woman in the parking lot of the Waterford Public Library.
According to the criminal complaint filed in Racine County Circuit Court, staff at Community State Bank in Rochester saw a man matching the description of the suspect in the bank on Aug. 6, acting suspiciously.
A teller at the bank saw him walk in and out of the bank three times before heading to the library, disappearing for what he teller said was about 4-5 minutes.
The teller then saw the man “running at full speed” through the backyard southbound from the area of the library, the complaint contends.
The suspect at the library had allegedly asked the librarian if she had change if he wanted to pay a fine. When the woman told him it would depend on what he gave her, he allegedly pulled out a small note that stated, “Give me all your money.”
The suspect then allegedly then tried to take a purse from a woman at Waterford Public Library, telling her he had a gun. The woman told police she tried to walk away, and the suspect took off up River Street.
Investigators were able to link Rubio to the crime after speaking to several people who saw surveillance video released to the media and identified Rubio as the man in the video captured at the Waterford library.
A woman told investigators she knew it was Rubio because he had a distinct “duck walk.” Another stated that it was definitely Rubio because he “waddles when he walks.”
The suspect’s mother also later positively identified him from the video.
While Rubio declined to speak with deputies after being arrested, the criminal complaint suggests he may have been a drug user, which could provide a motive for robbery.
An investigator allegedly found a pipe commonly used for smoking marijuana as well as numerous syringes, a tourniquet and a plastic bag consistent with heroin use in Rubio’s room, according to the complaint.
Rubio is also believed to be a suspect in two other purse-snatching robberies that occurred that same day – one in Hales Corners and one at Southridge Mall in Greendale. No charges have been filed in those cases.
Rubio refused to appear in court Friday, but made his initial appearance Monday during which he was bound over for trial, according online court records. A court commissioner granted cash bond of $2,500 and ordered Rubio not to have any contact with the victims. He is also prohibited from possessing or consuming controlled substances and is required to submit to drug testing as part of each court appearance.
A preliminary hearing in the case is set for Oct. 14.
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