SUPERIOR – A man accused of back-to-back attempted carjackings made his initial appearance in Douglas County Circuit Court on Tuesday, Nov. 4.

Michael Garner Thompson, 37, of Superior, faces two counts of attempted robbery with force, two counts of attempted carjacking with force, two counts of attempting to drive a motor vehicle without owner’s consent, three counts of misdemeanor battery and one count of obstruction. an officer. A $35,000 cash bond was set for Thompson and he was ordered to have no contact with any of the victims, Goodwill or Kwik Trip.

Contribution / Douglas County Jail

Senior police officers responded to an attempted carjacking near 2911 Tower Ave. at approximately 3:30 p.m. Wednesday, Oct. 30, according to the criminal complaint. They found Thompson being held down by three people and reported seeing signs that the man was under the influence of methamphetamine.

The reported victim told officers she was dropping off donations to Goodwill when Thompson approached her, grabbed her and punched her in the face. She fell to the ground and he tried to take her keys from her. She told officers she was terrified because her 7-year-old grandson was in the back seat of the vehicle.

Bystanders intervened and detained Thompson until police arrived. He was arrested and taken to the Douglas County Jail after receiving medical clearance for injuries sustained in the incident.

During the investigation, officers discovered a second attempted carjacking that allegedly involved the same suspect in the nearby Kwik Trip parking lot. The victim of that incident said his vehicle was parked at a gas station. He left the store with a bag of groceries and unlocked the vehicle with his fob, placing the groceries on the passenger seat.

He told police that while he was walking around the front of his vehicle, Thompson opened the driver’s door, got in and yelled at the man to give him the keys. The man began to remove Thompson from the vehicle and an argument ensued. Following the struggle, a witness saw Thompson run toward Superior Choice Credit Union, then change course and run toward Goodwill.

The most serious charges, robbery and auto theft, are Class E felonies, each carrying a maximum sentence of seven and a half years in prison and a fine of up to $25,000. Thompson’s next court appearance is set for Nov. 13.

Maria Lockwood covers Douglas County, Wis. news for the Superior Telegram.