Armed robbery suspects arrested
Three women and one man were arrested in late December by Department of Public Safety (DPS) officers in connection with reports of five armed robberies on North Campus Dec. 8 and 9. The Jan. 15 preliminary exam for Kisha Richardson, 19; Folana Carter, 18; Keisha Warren, 16; and Eric Oliver, 18, was continued to this week. Each of the four Ypsilanti residents each has been charged with one count of assault with intent to rob while armed, four counts of armed robbery and five counts of conspiracy. Warren, who is being charged as an adult, also has been charged with ethnic intimidation. The charges could result in life sentences.
Four of the armed robberies were reported Dec. 9 between 8 and 8:45 p.m. near Cram Circle, between Bishop Street and Hubbard Road. An additional robbery was reported the previous night around 11 p.m. near the footpath by Bursley Hall. Though weapons reportedly were brandished during the incidents, no one was injured.
The women originally were arrested in mid-December by the Washtenaw County Sheriff’s Department following a gas station robbery. They also are being investigated for other criminal actions in several area jurisdictions.
Strong arm robbery reported near Union
A campus visitor was robbed of his eyeglasses by three Detroit-area men after leaving an event Jan. 12 at the Michigan Union. One of the suspects also threatened the victim, though he was not injured. A preliminary exam for Rendell Ferguson, 22, of Southfield, and Jason Williams, 21, and Erroll Bradley, 20, both of Detroit, is scheduled for Wednesday. The victim’s glasses, valued at $2,200, were recovered near the scene.
Law Quad suspect pleads
Joseph Robinson, 56, pleaded no contest Jan. 6 to charges connected with the Aug. 17 assault of a female student near the Law Quad. Robinson was charged with assault with intent to do great bodily harm less than murder, a 10-year felony; carrying a weapon with unlawful intent, a five-year felony; and habitual third offender. His sentencing, which may be doubled as a result of the habitual third offender statute, is scheduled for Feb. 6.
Three aggraved assaults reported
Two reports of aggravated assault in residence halls were filed with DPS, while a third report originated from the University Hospital. A Markley Hall resident indicated his eyes were irritated after a campus visitor reportedly discharged a fire extinguisher in his face Dec. 7. The victim did not seek medical treatment. At Bursley Hall Dec. 7, a student sustained minor injuries when he reportedly was struck by a visitor from Detroit. DPS officers continue to investigate both incidents.
The third assault involved two hospital security officers reportedly being struck while restraining an unruly patient Dec. 13.
South Quad burglary suspect enters plea
Donald Burroughs, 43, of Jackson, pleaded guilty to two counts of home invasion, second degree, in connection with burglaries in South Quad Dec. 11. Burroughs was apprehended at the scene after a student called DPS to report a suspicious person entering residents’ rooms.
The victims reported clothing, wallets and personal items had been taken. Burroughs is scheduled to be sentenced Feb. 12. Second degree home invasion is a 15-year felony.
Three more burglaries reported
A door was kicked in just before 3 a.m. Dec. 17 at the School of Education, a guard reported, and an unknown man was seen entering the building. Later, police discovered several tampon machines in the building’s restrooms had been damaged or removed.
A staff person in East Hall reported Dec. 4 that money had been stolen from the department’s lockbox during the past month. Additionally, a South Quad resident reported Dec. 2 that his MCard had been stolen from his unlocked room. DPS continues to investigate the burglaries.
Arsons cause limited damage
Two reports of limited fire damage were filed with DPS in December. A flier posted on a bulletin board in East Quad was scorched Dec. 1, and a sign posted outside Harlan Hatcher Library was burned Dec. 10. No injuries were involved in either arson.
