Information still sought in unarmed robbery at Hatcher Library
A student told police Sept. 13 that she had been pushed down a flight of stairs inside the Hatcher Graduate Library at about 6:45 p.m. As she attempted to recover from the fall, the suspect jumped down, stole her iPhone and attempted to take her backpack before fleeing back up the stairs when someone responded to the student’s screams. The Department of Public Safety issued Crime Alert #14 and later provided a composite drawing of the suspect which can be viewed on the DPS website at www.police.umich.edu. The suspect is described as a black male with medium to dark complexion, in his early 20s, possibly 6 feet tall, wearing a long-sleeve shirt and tan vest (possibly tweed-patterned), and a beret-style or knit cap. The suspect last was seen wearing large framed glasses with either thick dark frames or aviator style. Anyone with information about this incident or suspect is urged to contact police at 734-763-1131 or the university’s Anonymous Tip Line at 1-800-863-1355.
Thefts reported from unattended room
A computer and cell phone were reported stolen from a Bursley Hall room on Sept. 1. The resident told DPS he had left his room door ajar between 2-2:15 a.m. when he left to take a shower. When he returned to his room, he noticed several items were moved from previous locations and his laptop and phone were missing. The investigation is continuing.
Computer taken from Kraus
Staff at the Kraus Building told police on Sept. 3 that when they arrived for work at 8:30 a.m. they observed a room door was open that typically would be shut and locked. They also reported that a computer was missing. The investigation is continuing.
Man pleads guilty in unarmed robbery case
Yshelu Johnson, 41, pleaded guilty Oct. 6 in connection with an unarmed robbery of a student Sept. 23 near South Quadrangle. Johnson is scheduled to be sentenced for larceny by false pretences less than $200 in November. The student told police that the man had grabbed him, pulled him several feet off the sidewalk and demanded money. The man fled after the student gave him money.
DPS received numerous tips regarding the suspect after issuing Crime Alert #15 for the robbery, including one tip later the same night that led police to the man’s location, whereupon they arrested Johnson. However, after Johnson posted bond the following day, DPS received several calls that he was spotted back on or near campus begging for money. There have been no additional reports since Oct. 6.
Two vehicles stolen, later recovered
Two vehicles reported stolen from campus parking lots in September later were recovered out of town.
A Michigan State University student told police Sept. 6 that he had parked his parents’ vehicle in Lot W13 west of the Stanford Lipsey Student Publications Building at 10:15 p.m. Sept. 5, but had left the vehicle unlocked and the keys under the seat. When he returned to the lot around 3:15 a.m. Sept 6, the car was missing. On Sept. 20, Eastern Michigan University police reported they had recovered the car at a gas station on Huron River Drive in Ypsilanti. The car radio was missing, taillights were broken and additional body damage was evident. The two occupants of the vehicle when it was recovered were arrested for possession of stolen property.
Another student told police Sept. 20 that his 2000 Honda Civic had been taken from Lot W16 across from West Quadrangle between 11:20 p.m. Sept. 19 and 12:45 a.m. Sept. 20. The car was recovered Sept. 30 by the Detroit Police Department, but it had been “stripped.”
Vehicles damaged in Arbor Lakes
Two vehicles parked Sept. 8 near Arbor Lakes were damaged when a suspect(s) apparently attempted to steal them. Evidence on both cars indicated that an unknown person(s) pried one of the windows away from the door casing and then used a slim device to reach in and unlock the door. One vehicle sustained damage to the steering column and the fuse compartments of both vehicles had been tampered. Currently there are no suspects in the case.
Golf cart reappears
A rented golf cart that had been used during Student Move-In was reported missing by staff on Sept. 9 from near the Student Activities Building. It was located the following day in a private lot off South Forest Avenue.
