Request to borrow a cell phone turned into armed robbery on Madison's Southwest side

Police are investigating an armed robbery attempt that occurred Wednesday night after a group of men asked to borrow the victim's cell phone.

Around 8:45 p.m. Wednesday, a man pulled over on the 5700 block of Russett Road on Madison's Southwest Side was approached by a group of men who asked to use his cell phone, police spokesperson Stephanie Fryer said in a statement. After the victim lent out his cell phone, a man in the group allegedly pulled out a gun and demanded the victim hand over more items.

The victim then sped away and a passenger in his vehicle called 911, Fryer said.

The victim's phone was later found abandoned in the vicinity of the armed robbery. Neither the victim or his passenger were injured.

An investigation is ongoing, Fryer said. It is unclear if police have identified any suspects in the case.

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