Robbery Suspect in Custody

October 14, 2026
Elise Schaffer, PIO, (608) 284-6142
Sheriff's Office

A suspect is in custody after she robbed a woman just minutes after being released from the Dane County Jail. Andrea R. Smith, 25, of Madison, was back in the Dane County Jail this morning on tentative charges of Strong-Armed Robbery, Battery, and Resisting an Officer. The Strong-Armed Robbery and Battery charges carry an Elder Person enhancer because of the victim’s age.

The robbery occurred just before 3:30 pm on Tuesday, October 13th, in the women’s restroom on the first floor of the Public Safety Building. The victim, a 92-year-old woman who volunteers at the jail as a tutor in the math and literacy program, sustained minor injuries.

Approximately 2 hours after the robbery was reported, the Sheriff’s deputy who took the victim's report located Smith on W. Mifflin Street. Smith resisted the deputy, prompting the use of a TASER. A bystander, Kerry J. Schell, age 45, of Madison, attempted to physically intervene in the arrest and struck the deputy with a metal shopping cart. Schell failed to follow multiple commands to step back and was pepper-sprayed. Smith and Schell were both treated at a local hospital. Schell was released and will receive a county ordinance citation for resisting. Smith was booked into the Dane County Jail on the felony charges. City of Madison Police Officers assisted in detaining Smith and Schell.