Man steals items, attempts to punch store employee when card declined

A man stole items from a gas station and attempted to punch an employee after his form of payment was declined. 

Officers were dispatched to the 4800 block of E. Washington Ave. around 6 p.m. on Monday.

A group of people entered the store around 5:55 p.m. and grabbed items. A man went to pay for them when a card was declined. He then grabbed the bagged items and ran out the door.

An employee followed and the man tried to punch him. 

The group ran toward a hotel in the area. Officers spoke with witnesses and hotel staff and were able to identify the suspect.

Jordan D. Hopper, 31, of Madison, was arrested for strong-armed robbery and taken to the Dane County Jail.