Armed robberies reported on, near campus
Officers with the Department of Public Safety (DPS) and Ann Arbor Police Department (AAPD) are working to determine any connections in a series of armed robberies. The most recent incident (as of press time) was reported at 10:57 p.m. May 3 when a female student reported she had exited her car on Freesia Court near Maiden Lane on North Campus. An unknown man approached her, held a gun to her head and demanded her purse, she said. She gave it to him and he fled on foot eastbound on Maiden Lane. The suspect is described as a black male, 6 feet tall, medium build, about 25-30 years old with no facial hair. He last was seen wearing a dark baseball cap, dark clothing and shorts.
A similar report was made April 18 by a student who told DPS he was approached by an unknown man who brandished a handgun and demanded money as he walked along Baits Drive on North Campus. The suspect was described as a black male, 5 feet 8 inches tall, wearing a black ski mask over his face and a dark, hooded sweatshirt with a gray or silver logo on the front.
Other recent armed robberies in the city, each involving one perpetrator with a handgun, were reported April 29 at the Radio Shack at 200 N. Maple Road and April 25 at the Jimmy Johns restaurant at 3300 Washtenaw Ave.
Anyone with information about any of these incidents is asked to call DPS at (734) 763-1131 or the University’s anonymous tip line at (800) 863-1355.
Thefts from construction projects continue
Several thefts of construction materials from campus renovation projects and building sites have been reported in recent weeks. In most cases, unsecured copper wire or welding supplies have been taken. Similar incidents also have been reported at locations in the city and county.
DPS issued a bulletin May 1 to construction project managers and facility managers to remind employees to lock up materials, not leave anything unattended and unsecured for any length of time, and to report immediately any suspicious activity around projects to DPS.
Three students arrested for burglary, arson
A female and two males — all students — were arrested April 6 for unlawful entry and arson at the Stephen M. Ross School of Business construction site. One of the students also was charged with minor in possession of alcohol.
DPS officers were called to the area by an on-site security guard who reported he heard the suspects in the building at about 1 a.m. He also reported that he had smelled smoke and found a U.S. flag burning, which he put out with a fire extinguisher. During the investigation, the police officers also found graffiti sprayed on the interior walls and several severed cables. The case has been submitted to the prosecutor’s office for action.
Charges denied for alleged assault at Northwood
The county prosecutor denied authorizing assault charges for two campus visitors who reportedly assaulted a 12-year-old Northwood Community Apartments resident May 11. A misdemeanor charge for attempted resisting and obstructing a police officer was authorized for one of the suspects. The boy told DPS that he had been assaulted by his sister’s two friends during an argument in his apartment. He was taken to the UMS Emergency Department by his aunt, treated and released.
When DPS police officers made contact with the two suspects the following day near the Fuller Road bridge, one of the men fled from officers into the river. He was apprehended a short time later near the Kellogg Eye Center expansion construction area.
Wallet reported missing from room
A resident in Alice Lloyd Hall reported April 21 that his wallet had been taken from his unlocked room two days earlier. The resident told police he had left his room open on April 19 while he was in the restroom. When he returned, he noticed his wallet was missing. DPS has no suspects at this time.
Police investigating assaults involving patients
Three U-M Hospital patients are suspects in separate assault cases during April. On April 21, a man visiting a patient reportedly was punched suddenly in the face by another patient. The victim’s glasses were broken in the incident and he was treated for facial injuries. He did not want to press charges and the case was closed.
On April 15, a patient stabbed a hospital security officer with a pen while officers were attempting to subdue the patient. On April 17, a hospital security supervisor was lightly struck in the leg by a vehicle driven by an upset patient. Neither security officer sustained any injuries.
