Madison, WI – A large police presence remains active Thursday morning after an alleged armed carjacking near a Madison hospital triggered an ongoing search for a suspect believed to be dangerous.
According to the Madison Police Department, officers were dispatched around 6:10 a.m. Thursday to the 200 block of South Park Street, near UnityPoint Health–Meriter Hospital, following reports of a carjacking involving a weapon.
Police say the suspect allegedly fled the scene in the stolen vehicle and crashed into Brittingham Bay shortly afterward. The incident has prompted a significant police response in neighborhoods surrounding South Park Street and the Brittingham Bay area, located just south of downtown Madison in Dane County.
Authorities are searching for 55-year-old Derrick M. Newton, who police say is believed to be armed with both a knife and a firearm. A jail booking photo from December 2024 has been released to assist in identifying him.
As of 7:55 a.m., police said Newton had not been located and his whereabouts remain unknown. Investigators noted that Newton and the carjacking victim were known to one another, and no direct threats to the general public have been reported. However, residents in the area are urged to remain cautious.
Police stress that Newton should not be approached. Anyone who sees him or has information about his location is asked to call 911 immediately.
The incident remains under investigation.
Case ID: 2026-030619
Incident Type: Weapons Violation
Location: 200 block of S. Park Street, Madison, WI
This article was produced by a journalist and may include AI-assisted input. All content is reviewed for accuracy and fairness.
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