Man held on armed robbery
A 21-year-old Detroit man remains in jail on a charge of attempted armed robbery in a July 28 incident near the Institute for Social Research. James Broome Jr. is being held on $50,000 cash bond in the Washtenaw County Jail after he was bound over to Circuit Court August 10. He is accused of attempting to rob a woman as she entered her company vehicle around 7:45 a.m. at the ISR loading dock. Through the locked vehicle doors and windows, Broome reportedly threatened her with a knife while demanding money. She was not injured during the incident. Broome was located by a U-M police officer a few blocks from the scene and later arrested after he was found in possession of clothes matching the description provided by the victim. The knife also was found nearby. Broome’s pre-trial hearing is scheduled for Sept. 20.
Tools removed from Botanical Garden garage
Three saws and an air compressor belonging to a construction contractor were reported stolen from a garage at the Matthaei Botanical Gardens July 21. The garage door was found damaged and the tools missing when the workers arrived for work in the morning. No suspects have been identified yet.
Person impersonating a valet takes vehicle
A University Hospital visitor reported that her vehicle was taken July 31 when she handed the keys to a man who said he was a valet. After he drove away in her 1998 Lexus around 1:45 p.m., the vehicle owner noticed the valet attendants standing near the hospital door and realized the man who took her car was dressed in different clothing. Responding police officers were unable to locate the vehicle. A possible suspect has been identified and the investigation is continuing.
Valet driver reports personal vehicle stolen
A staff person reported that his 1999 Jeep had been taken before 9 a.m. July 18 from Lot M31. He had left his vehicle key at the valet booth during his work shift. A possible suspect has been identified and the investigation is continuing.
Rented service vehicle recovered on railroad tracks
A small service vehicle that had been rented to transport liquids to athletic fields during sports camps was recovered by the railroad police July 8 after it was found abandoned on the tracks near South State and Simpson streets. The vehicle reportedly had been parked near the Indoor Track Building the previous night by camp staff. No suspects have been identified.
