Burlington man charged in library robbery, attempted purse snatching
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 Wednesday morning 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 Thursday, 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 (view the video here).
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 video was also shown to Rubio’s mother, who allegedly told investigators she was sure it was her son.
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.
The complaint also contends that a witness reported Rubio walking into and out of Community State Bank in Rochester on three separate occasions immediately prior to the robbery at the adjacent library.
“The (witness) stated that the man disappeared for about 4-5 minutes and then was noticed running at full speed through the backyard southbound from the area of the library,” investigators wrote in 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’s initial appearance in court is scheduled for Friday afternoon.
A complete story on the charges against Rubio will appear in next week’s print editions of the Burlington Standard Press and Waterford Post.
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