17-year-old accused of two attempted carjackings and assaults in Ypsilanti apartment complex
Ypsilanti police say a 17-year-old man apparently intent on stealing a vehicle punched a woman in the arm when she refused to give up her car keys, then broke into an elderly man's home and assaulted him with a broom while demanding his car keys.
The teenager was arrested at the scene of the second attempted carjacking early this morning and is expected to face multiple charges, Sgt. Tom Eberts said.
The two incidents unfolded within minutes in the same apartment complex.
A 49-year-old woman in the 1100 block of Ivy Lane said she was inside her vehicle getting an item at 11:40 p.m. Friday when a stranger walked up and demanded her keys, a police press release said. She refused and shut the door as he punched her in the arm, police said. He then walked away.
Minutes later, police say the 17-year-old broke into an apartment in the 600 block of Grassland, where a 79-year-old man was sleeping inside.
The teenager began assaulting the man and threatening to kill him if he didn't give up money and his keys, the release said. The intruder struck the man with a broom handle, and the man gave up keys to a vehicle, the release said.
Police said a gun was implied, but wasn't seen. The suspect is accused of stealing money, a wallet, cell phone and knife from the apartment.
The teen ordered the man outside, but was unable to start the car because he had the wrong keys, the release said. In the meantime, the elderly man was able to get into his large delivery truck, and the teen began smashing the windshield and driver's window of the truck, spraying shattered glass on the man, the release said.
Officers, who received a call about an assault in progress there, arrested the teen as he was walking away, Eberts said. The teen was found to be in possession of the man's property, the release said.
The 79-year-old man suffered a cut lip and swelling to the head, but refused medical treatment, police said.
Eberts said the 17-year-old is believed to be responsible for both incidents, and was lodged at the Washtenaw County Jail pending charges. He also was wanted on a warrant, but details of the warrant weren't available this morning.
The man is expected to be arraigned, likely Sunday, and may face charges of carjacking, attempted carjacking, home invasion and assault with intent to commit great bodily harm less than murder.
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Comments
Ricebrnr
Mon, Jul 19, 2010 : 5:23 p.m.
Why ask why? The answer is very simple. Your need to sleep soundly in your own bed. Your need to feel safe in your own home. Your need to be healthy. Your need to be able to get to and from work. He decided his wants were more important than your needs.
mom22
Mon, Jul 19, 2010 : 4:23 p.m.
This incident may not see that horrible to some of you, but think about what this person could be capable of doing next. I say lock him up for as long as it takes to make sure her is rehabilitated.
Carl Duncan
Mon, Jul 19, 2010 : 1:30 p.m.
Listen to the voices blaming you and me for the boy's behavior. The boy would have never done anything wrong if it wasn't for society. Of course we are at fault birthing the boy, feeding and nurturing the child. Not only is the boy stupid, this boy is lucky as well, and he doesn't even know it yet. There comes a time when humans learn and appreciate personal responsibility--some learn--some never do. And it is the narcissistic mind that never will.
stevek
Sun, Jul 18, 2010 : 8:27 a.m.
@deewee-so he broke the curfew law and got into all this trouble. Maybe if his parents would take some responsibility for where their son was at 11:30 pm he wouldn't be out committing crimes. Stand up and take responsibility for your children. Charge the parents too.
Jimmy McNulty
Sun, Jul 18, 2010 : 6:36 a.m.
The 17 year old is lucky the homeowner whose home he invaded was not armed. @ Me Next, avoid the long posts, interest is lost after the 3rd paragraph.
the black stallion 2
Sat, Jul 17, 2010 : 5:23 p.m.
I believe it is good to have this person behind bars, who knows what could have happened next.
braggslaw
Sat, Jul 17, 2010 : 5:01 p.m.
Me Next, I think the "why"is important. But there is no excuse for such violent behavior. I have known many with nothing that never executed a crime.
deewee
Sat, Jul 17, 2010 : 4 p.m.
This is just another sad story. Have anyone ever stop to consider that this teen is trying to reach out for help? I myself have a 16 year old son, who for some reason keep getting his self in trouble. He is really out of control. Sadly, the court system isn't working for him. I've been trying to have him place in placement through the courts but all they keep on doing is extending his probation. I am a low-income single parent, so I don't have the money it takes to send him off to boot-camp. Once he turn 17 years old, there is a high possibility that he will end up in prison. Everyone always have a comments on these type on stories. So will someone step-up and give(us)those parents who care about our mis-behave teens,some names of different resouces were we can get help. I really don't want anyone to think that I'm trying to put my son off on the courts. Let the person without sins, cast the first stone!
amlive
Sat, Jul 17, 2010 : 3:54 p.m.
"The teenager began assaulting the man and threatening to kill him if he didn't give up money and his keys,"... "may face charges of carjacking, attempted carjacking, home invasion and assault with intent to commit great bodily harm less than murder." I don't see why they have to stop the charges at "intent to commit great bodily harm less than murder". Seems as though there should be some additional charge when direct threats to kill are made during an assault. I don't know - either way, it's a shame to see someone's life gone to waste so early, but this seems to represent a heartlessness and lack of any human conscience, which I doubt our penal system has much chance of rehabilitating. He'll get locked up, and I'm sure will be back out within a few years, hardened, with a record, no education, and little to no chance of ever becoming a contributing member of society. I'm not about to try and play this kid as the victim after what he's done, but I'd guess he probably never had much of a chance to begin with. I do certainly hope that the 79 year old man who was left with swelling to the head and busted up truck is doing okay,
James
Sat, Jul 17, 2010 : 3:22 p.m.
I would like to comment on the reply left by "Me Next".. The answer as to why this young man has done such "horrible" things is because he is a sinner fallen from grace and in need of a savior, just like the rest of us. No doubt this post is going to get flagged and maybe even blocked. This is the truth and nothing short of Jesus Christ is going to solve this young man's problem. Years ago here in America, that would have been the mind set of our society, today it's all about "me Next" no pun intended.
Me Next
Sat, Jul 17, 2010 : 2:07 p.m.
To eliminate this behavior, society must be able to determine the missing elements in this 17y/o. He needed a car - Why? He hit a woman - Why? He unlawfully entered private property - Why? He wanted money from another without exchanging his labor for it. Why? He had no regard for the property of others - Why? At this age, he should be a Senior in High School, cleaning yards or helping in private business for cash to buy his first car. He should be looking for a wife that will help him build a life instead of just include him in her life. So why? He has been taught that he is excluded from the opportunity to compete functionally by the very ones that claim they are providing Political Agendas to protect him from the evil Capitalists. So the world is his oyster, people & property don't matter because if he gets caught - he is still cared for & life is indeed better than on the outside. While he is there he learns more sophisticated ways of continuing his dependency on others & what they have rather than discovering he is human merchandise & his freedom is slavery. He feels free for times. Meanwhile his TAUGHT expected behavior causes society to insist on growing the many human merchandise categories. Confirming what he has been lead to believe. Society is financially reduced, more criminals are grown & protected, private business & private individuals are less & less able to provide jobs. Family Community Homes/Apartments with the right supervisors & correct Individual Care Plans would decrease The Crime Factory/Jail/Prison & actually provide the mandated learning of 3 Rs & Inclusion into the blessings of Liberty. If Families will not take advantage to help their child - there are good citizens that will attempt to help in providing the missing essential elements. It costs no more but it gives society more civil members & isn't that what JD is claimed to do. We know now it does the exact opposite. Keep doing the same failed things or actually solve the problems - You will live with your choices.