Editor’s note: the events enumerated in this story both occurred on the city’s east side. Earlier copy misidentified the location. The copy has been updated. WhitewaterWise regrets the error. 

By Kim McDarison

Whitewater Police Capt. Adam Vander Steeg released information Friday pertaining to the arrest of an armed suspect at a Kwik Trip gas station.

The suspect has been identified within the release as Noel J. Gonzalez, Jr., 25, Whitewater.

According to the release, on Wednesday, Jan. 3, at approximately 2:42 a.m. police received a report that an armed robbery “had just occurred” at 305 Elkhorn Road, Whitewater. The gas station is on the city’s east side. 

As stated within the release, police learned that the suspect had allegedly attempted to purchase an item inside the store, but the card with which he intended to pay for the item was declined.

Employees within the store “wouldn’t allow the suspect to leave without paying,” the release noted, adding that the suspect next allegedly brandished “what was believed to be a firearm.”

According to the release, the individual “made threatening statements to the staff,” saying that he would “start spraying,” employees told police.

The employees told police that they told the individual to take the item and leave.

The release noted that the individual “then left the Kwik Trip without further incident.”

While police officers were investigating the incident at the Kwik Trip located on Elkhorn Road, the release reported that a second call was received by dispatchers at the Whitewater Communications Center, relating to police that an incident involving a male, who was described as “drinking alcohol,” and being “disorderly towards the caller, and was in possession of a gun,” was underway at a location described within the release as “in close proximity to the” Kwik Trip located on the city’s east side. 

Officers arriving at the second location recognized the suspected, the release stated, identifying him as the same individual who was involved in the initial incident.

Officers were able to identify the individual after viewing surveillance video, the release read.

During the second incident, a handgun was recovered at the scene and the suspect was taken into custody, according to the release. 

After his arrest, Gonzalez was confined in the Walworth County Jail on multiple criminal charges, the release continued, adding that the Walworth County District Attorney has formally charged Gonzalez with the following charges: armed robbery, carrying a concealed weapon, and disorderly conduct, with a modifier of domestic abuse assessments.

According to the Wisconsin Circuit Court Access Website, the armed robbery charge carries a severity of Felony C, the carry concealed weapon charge carries a severity of Misdemeanor A, and the disorderly conduct charge carries a severity of Misdemeanor B. 

The charges carry the following penalties: Felony C, up to 40 years in prison or a $100,000 fine or both; Misdemeanor A, up to nine months of confinement, a fine up to $10,000, or both, and a Misdemeanor B, confinement up to 90 days in prison, a fine up to $10,000, or both.

The Whitewater Police Department was assisted with taking the suspect into custody by the University of Wisconsin-Whitewater Police Department. The suspect was taken into custody without incident, the release reports. 

On Jan. 4, according to information released through the circuit court access website, the court set a cash bond for Gonzalez of $10,000.

A criminal complaint was filed with the court on Jan. 12.

On that same date, the defendant was in court via video conference appearing before Walworth County Circuit Court Judge Kristine Drettwan. Attorney Mackenzie Renner appeared in court on the defendant’s behalf. Assistant District Attorney Zamir Abid appeared on behalf of the state.

An initial appearance was scheduled for Jan. 18.

On Jan. 16, a public defender, Obi Uzowulu, was appointed for the defendant by the court.

On Jan. 18, the dependent appeared before Judge David Ready via video conference, with attorney Evan York appearing on his behalf for Uzowulu.

The court set a preliminary hearing date of Jan. 29.

As stated within the Whitewater Police Department release, unless a judgment of conviction is entered, a defendant is presumed innocent of all charges.