Ohio Woman Carjacked in Downtown Milwaukee

Norma Haddad (Photo/TMJ4) From the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel:

An 84-year-old Toledo, Ohio woman in town for the annual Bead & Button show was beaten and carjacked by a man after she stopped to ask him for directions downtown, according to Milwaukee police. The woman left in her car from the Midwest Airlines Center, where the bead show is being held, and stopped at N. 1st and W. Wisconsin Ave. to ask for directions. A man got in her car and said he would drive her where she wanted to go, according to police. The man drove to Washington Park, near N. 35th and W. Vliet St., hit the woman, took her purse and drove off in her car, a gold Chevy Malibu four door with Ohio plates. Police said the woman was struck but did not require medical attention. She was picked up by Good Samaritans who took her home, police said.

Earlier this week, Hillary Clinton's campaign apologized for Bill Clinton's use of inappropriate language when referring to Vanity Fair's Todd Purdum. I think this inappropriate language is completely appropriate to apply to the thug responsible for carjacking and roughing up an 84-year-old woman. The guy is a scumbag. I make no apologies for my language. Here's the description of the scumbag:

The only description that police provided this morning of the suspect is a black male wearing a blue shirt and black pants. The woman described the suspect as being in his 40s to 50s.

This elderly visitor to Milwaukee obviously thought she could trust the man. After asking directions, she agreed to let him drive her. In this case, it wasn't wise for her to depend on the kindness of strangers. The 84-year-old lady clearly was very vulnerable. It's sickening that this man beat and robbed her. This scumbag has no conscience. County Executive Scott Walker believes that the situation in Milwaukee is getting out of control. He sent an email to Charlie Sykes detailing his concerns. Walker also appeared on Sykes' radio show this morning, discussing the meltdown of Milwaukee and reiterating the points in his email. Walker doesn't mince words. He writes:

This is a wake up call to Milwaukee. From the carjacking of the 84-year-old, out-of-town woman to the punks on the chartered bus to the gang bangers at River Splash, things are getting out-of-control. The Police Chief and Sheriff are aggressive, but we need more help.

He calls for the public to identify the criminals, judges to hand down tough sentences for offenders, parents to hold their children accountable, and church and civic leaders to stress the disastrous consequences of teens becoming parents. Walker calls for a greater sense of personal responsibility from the community. He concludes:

Milwaukee is at an intersection: we can turn down a path that leads to becoming another Detroit or we can take a firm handle on this situation, clean up the crime and head down a path of prosperity that leads to becoming a city like Indianapolis. To move down the right path takes courage and determination. I, for one, am ready to stand with the Sheriff and the Police Chief and any other leaders who are willing to crack down on crime and restore public safety throughout our community.

Mayor Tom Barrett can't be happy with Walker's assessment. Yes, Barrett gets angry now and then, but he touts Milwaukee as a safe city. He acknowledges that there are problems, but he believes the city is experiencing a renaissance. This story of the scumbag and what he did to the 84-year-old Ohio woman is raining on Barrett's renaissance. Add to that the thugs at RiverSplash and the thugs gone wild on the county bus and the daily shootings and armed robberies in the city. I agree that Milwaukee is at a crossroad. Barrett and other leaders have to acknowledge that. They don't seem to get that a "small element" can do a lot of damage. Think of al Qaeda. Scumbags. _______________ Watch TMJ4 reporter Melissa McCrady interview the 84-year-old victim, Norma Haddad.

Norma Haddad, 84, is from Toledo, Ohio. She is visiting Milwaukee for the annual Bead & Button show going on downtown this weekend. There was a preview event Thursday night at the Midwest Airlines Center. Police said when it ended Haddad drove off and got lost. Near Water and Wisconsin, she asked a man for directions. "He said drive, I'll show you and we'll be there in five minutes but a half hour later I was still driving around town," Haddad said. Little did she know she'd end up in the middle of the street injured and alone. Near Washington Park, at 42nd and W. Vliet Street, Haddad asked the man to get out of her car. He refused, then beat her and threw her out of the car. He then drove took off in her car. Haddad showed TODAY'S TMJ4 reporter Melissa McCrady her injuries. "This is where he grabbed me," Norma Haddad said pointing to her sore wrist. Haddad is bruised, cut and battered, but happy to be alive. "You think that's the end right there. It's terrible that they do these things to people," Haddad said nearly crying.

What a scumbag!