The University Record, November 12, 1996
Man charged on four felony counts, preliminary hearing set
The Washtenaw County Prosecutor has authorized a four-count warrant for Steven Dwain Smith, 33, in connection with an armed robbery and sexual assault that occurred in parking lot NC-31 on North Campus, according to Capt. James Smiley, Department of Public Safety (DPS).
“Department of Public Safety investigators worked very closely with the Ann Arbor Police Department to identify the suspect,” Smiley says. “We’re pleased that the suspect has been apprehended. This case is another example of successful cooperation between law enforcement agencies in this area.”
A female student was approached by a suspect armed with a handgun on Oct. 5 at approximately 8 a.m. in the parking lot across from Bursley Residence Hall on Hubbard Road. He took $30, then sexually assaulted the victim. DPS officers worked with witnesses who were in the area at the time to develop information that would identify the suspect. The information then was shared with the Ann Arbor Police Department, and a cooperative investigation of a string of robberies and assaults over the past few weeks was continued. The Ann Arbor Police Department arrested the suspect Oct. 14.
“Witnesses in the area were instrumental in identifying a vehicle that proved to be significant in this case,” Smiley says.
In the U-M case, Smith was charged with first degree criminal sexual conduct, a felony punishable by up to life in prison; armed robbery, a felony punishable by up to life in prison; weapons firearm possession by a felon, a felony punishable by up to five years in prison; and weapons—felony firearm, a felony that carries a mandatory two-year prison sentence. The defendant was arraigned Nov. 5 at the Washtenaw County Jail, where he is being held without bond. A preliminary exam is scheduled for Nov. 14 and Nov. 19 in 15th District Court. Other charges against Smith were authorized by the Washtenaw County Prosecutor in connection with other cases in Ann Arbor, Smiley says.
