Patient threatens hospital staff with cane
A 56-year-old University Hospital patient used his walking cane in a threatening manner against hospital security officers July 1. The patient was attempting to leave the hospital against medical advice. No one was injured in the incident and no prosecution is expected.
Items reported stolen from unattended rooms
Two reports of burglaries of residence halls rooms were filed with the Department of Public Safety (DPS) in July. In both cases doors had been left open while the rooms were vacant.
A Mary Markley resident reported July 8 that $350 and her wallet had been taken from her desk the night before. She had left her room unattended twice during the evening but did not observe anyone suspicious in the area.
Two summer campers residing in Couzens Hall reported July 11 that earlier in the week their iPods were missing from their room after they returned from dinner. There were no signs of forced entry to the room.
No new developments in unarmed robbery
DPS continues to investigate a report of an unarmed robbery near the Michigan Union around 3 a.m. July 14. Three men reported that as they left work at the Union, they were approached by five unknown men who demanded “everything they got.” Two victims fled unarmed after dropping a backpack. The third victim physically was assaulted and his backpack was taken. He refused medical treatment at the scene. The suspects fled on foot toward the Diag. They were described as five black males in their early to mid-20s, 6 feet and 220-250 pounds. They last were seen wearing dark-colored shirts; two were wearing shiny athletic shorts with stripes and the other three were wearing dark-colored jeans.
The two backpacks later were recovered near the President’s residence.
Anyone with information about this incident is asked to contact DPS at 763-1131 or call the Anonymous Tipline at (800) 863-1355.
DPS to increase enforcement of railroad trespassing
Walking, riding, driving or being on railroad tracks or the right-of-way is prohibited by state law, except at streets and sidewalks. The right-of-way usually extends 50 feet on each side of the tracks. DPS will increase enforcement of this law, especially along the Norfolk Southern tracks that run near the Medical Campus after a recent near-miss accident with a pedestrian.
Railroad police contacted DPS Aug. 3 to report that one of their trains almost hit a man dressed in a white shirt and tie who was walking along the tracks near the Fuller-Mitchell recreation fields. Witnesses reported the man had fallen backward to avoid being hit by the train. Several DPS officers spent considerable time in the area looking for the man or any signs he had been injured.
Train personnel report that near misses are not uncommon along this area. DPS cautions employees to avoid walking along unauthorized paths through the woods between the Medical Campus and parking lots or buildings along Fuller Road. Instead, employees should use U-M Commuter buses or hospital shuttles or walk on sidewalks to access their vehicles. Trespassing on railroad property is punishable by 30 days in jail and/or a $100 fine plus court fees.
