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Local man charged with laptop thefts
A 23-year-old Ypsilanti man was arraigned Nov. 9 in connection with thefts of laptop computers from U-M libraries. Isaiah Johnson, an Eastern Michigan University student, was charged with two felonies—larceny from a building, which carries a penalty of four years in jail and/or a $5,000 fine, and receiving and concealing stolen property greater than $1,000 but less than $20,000, a penalty of five years and/or $10,000. He awaits a preliminary exam Nov. 16.
Johnson was arrested Nov. 8 at the Harlan Hatcher Graduate Library after he was observed by Department of Public Safety (DPS) police officers taking an unattended laptop. Subsequent investigation allegedly has linked Johnson to at least 10 cases of stolen laptops from the U-M campus. A cash reward of up to $500 for information regarding the laptop thefts has been canceled.
DPS continues hunt for burglars
DPS police and housing security officers continue to search for two men in connection with a burglary Oct. 31 of a resident’s room in Bursley Hall. The men were described as Black, college-aged males. One suspect is approximately 5 feet, 10 inches tall and 170 pounds with brown skin and stubble on his face. He was last seen wearing a brown jacket with shirtsleeves exposed and dark jeans. The second suspect is described as 6 feet, 1 inch tall and 180 pounds with brown skin and possibly a goatee. He was last seen wearing a long-sleeve, button-down white shirt and blue jeans.
The resident reported to DPS he awoke from a nap around 3 p.m. to find the two suspects in his room. The first man was holding the victim’s laptop and a struggle between the suspect and victim ensued. The resident chased the man who took the laptop out of the building and into a nearby wooded area. The suspect dropped the laptop, which the victim retrieved. No weapons were seen.
Anyone with information about the incident or the suspects is encouraged to contact DPS at (734) 763-1131 or call the University’s anonymous tip line at (800) 863-1355.
Two additional burglaries reported
In last month’s Police Beat, information was provided about burglaries to six apartments in Northwood Housing Oct. 3. Police continue to investigate the incidents in which personal property was reported stolen while residents were sleeping. Entry apparently was gained through sliding glass doors that weren’t secured with bars.
Two additional burglaries were reported in October. Two roommates in South Quad reported Oct. 2 that upon returning from a weekend trip, they discovered their pillows were missing and used condoms had been left on the floor. Entry apparently was gained through an unsecured window. In Baits Hall, a resident reported Oct. 12 that his laptop, wallet and other personal property had been removed from his room while he was sleeping. Entry apparently was gained through the unsecured adjoining bathroom door.
Ball hitter threatens staff member
A staff member was threatened Oct. 7 by an unknown man as the victim attempted to protect parked cars in lot NC-31. The victim told police he had observed the man hitting balls with a baseball bat near the parked cars. When the victim asked the ball player to move away from the cars, the suspect approached the victim with bat in hand and verbally threatened him before driving away. DPS continues to investigate the incident.
Two sexual assaults reported in October
DPS is investigating two cases of criminal sexual conduct initially reported in October. A former resident of Northwood Housing who is a young child told authorities in October that she had been inappropriately touched on many occasions by a family member when she lived at U-M in 2003. The family currently resides in Connecticut.
In an unrelated case, a South Quad resident reported Oct. 21 that her ex-boyfriend, who lives out of state, repeatedly had assaulted her last spring and this fall.
Stolen car found with no damage
A 33-year-old woman from Canton reported Oct. 15 her car had been stolen while she attended a U-M football game. The woman indicated she had parked her 2001 Honda Odyssey in lot SC-9 and it was gone when she returned after the game. The car was found by Ann Arbor Police two days later on Adams Street with no damage.
Golf cart missing from stadium
A vendor at Michigan Stadium reported Oct. 8 that a rented golf cart was missing from near his booth. It had been last seen two days before the game.
DPS cancels October crime alert
Arrests of two men for unarmed robberies in the City of Ann Arbor have led DPS to cancel a crime alert issued Oct. 18. Alert number 2005-AAPD-05 warning the campus community about three robberies on Church, Geddes and Sybil streets the previous night was canceled. Both police departments had been pursuing a series of unarmed robberies near and on campus this fall. Several young men have been arrested by the two departments in connection with the incidents.
