3 Charged in Heyer Park Armed Robbery

Three Waukesha teens are facing felony charges after they allegedly robbed a man with an Airsoft gun in Monday evening.

Melvin Fred Jr., 19, Calen E. Smith, 17, and Joshua T. Thompson, 17, were charged in Waukesha County Circuit Court Wednesday with three counts of armed robbery. If convicted, Smith faces up to 40 years in prison, Fred faces up to 47 years in prison and Thompson faces up to 46 years in prison.

According to the criminal complaint:

At 8:59 p.m. Monday, the victim and two of his friends went to the park to meet Smith and Fred, but once he saw them, Fred pushed him to the ground and began punching him in the head with a gun while Thompson stood by.

One of the victim’s friend’s tried to help, but Fred handed the gun to Smith, who pointed at the man so he stayed back. They took a necklace, hat, cell phone and drawstring backpack from the victim, then the three fled behind to a friend’s house.

The victim and his friends called police and identified the three men. Officers went to Thompson’s house where he was arrested.

Thompson, who is on bail for an incident admitted to the incident, although he didn’t physically assault the victim and was there to make sure the other friends didn’t get involved. He said they used an Airsoft pistol in the incident after discussing ways to get at the victim before he arrived.

Thompson is currently free on $1,000 bail while awaiting trial. Neither Smith or Fred are in custody and have yet to make their initial appearances in court.