Men arrested after Ann Arbor jewelry store robbery released from jail
Four men arrested by Ann Arbor police shortly after a brazen mid-afternoon robbery Wednesday at a downtown jewelry store have been released from the Washtenaw County Jail, jail officials said tonight.
Washtenaw County Chief Deputy Assistant Prosecutor Steve Hiller said tonight that no charges have been filed against the men.
Lt. Mark St. Amour, head of the police department's detective division, could not be reached for comment today. Attempts to reach several other Ann Arbor police officials tonight were unsuccessful.
Meanwhile, investigators are still searching for two handguns used in the robbery at Schlanderer & Sons on South Main Street and are enlisting the public's help, according to a "Code RED Alert" issued to some residents this afternoon.
The alert was put out by phone and e-mail to residents who live south of West William Street, north of Pauline Boulevard, west of South Main Street and east of South Seventh Street.
It asks them to keep an eye out for the guns, "expensive watches" that may have been stolen and "suspicious bags" that could have been used to conceal stolen items.
Police are asking residents to look in their yards, the bushes and around trees, the alert says.
Residents who find suspicious items should call 911, the alert says. Anyone with information on the robbery can call the department's tip line at (734) 794-6939.
Lee Higgins covers crime and courts for AnnArbor.com. He can be reached by phone at (734) 623-2527 and e-mail at leehiggins@annarbor.com.
Comments
Sallyxyz
Sun, Aug 29, 2010 : 12:22 p.m.
Responding to the posters (racerx and theannouncerman007)who doubted my post about the location of low income housing in AA: On the A2gov.org website, the following is listed: Low Rent Housing: The AAHC manages and maintains 355 low income rental housing units in the city of Ann Arbor. Listed on the A2gov.org website: North Maple Estates Hikone Maple Meadows Green Baxter Court Hillside Manor Upper Platt Lower Platt Mallet's Creek Oakwood Miller Manor Baker Commons Broadway Terrace Evelyn Court White/State/Henry South Seventh West Washington In addition, on the NORTHSIDE of AA, the Arrowwood Coop (350 units, low income) is on Arrowwood Trail, off of Pontiac Trail, which is OFF BARTON DRIVE. Parkways Meadows (350 units) is subsidized housing OFF NIXON. The Carpenter/Scarlett area? Drive down Central Blvd, east of Carpenter, on your way to Carpenter school, and tell me the average cost of those little houses. Hardly houses valued at $170k each. More like $50k each, or less. Drive down any of the street near Carpenter school, East of Carpenter, South of Washtenaw and North of Packard. All low income houses. Try streets like Grant, Dayton, Carlton, Dayton, Crystal, etc. All in A2 school district.
ronn oneal
Mon, Aug 16, 2010 : 6:59 p.m.
I'm sure that I had to clean up my comment but; the fact remains that they couldn't have been African/American due to the M.O. and past record of the AAPD. If they haven't answered or talked to the press and public concerning clarification of action's decided by now, we won't get any answer's. Was that a little cleaner?
ronn oneal
Mon, Aug 16, 2010 : 6:51 p.m.
WOW! Why am I not surprised? FACT: They weren't African/American! Now you think I'm racist for stating obvious fact's that any race could bet his life on it; Due to the history and Reputation of AAPD. FACT: More than 2 African/American men walking down Annarbor street is considered a Gang. More than Two European/American men walking down an Annarbor street, with beer bottle's in hand, is called a few of the fella's having a moment of male bonding. Sure; go ahead block and hide the ugly truth of this great town.
racerx
Sun, Aug 15, 2010 : 11:40 a.m.
@sallyxyz-Gee, I live in a new home that was built in 1999 at a cost of $170K, 3br., 2.5b, 2 car attached garage. My household income is over $130K, both my kids attend Carpenter and Scarlett, the oldest enters college this Sept. I live off Packard between Carpenter & Golfside. So I guess I am low-income. Maybe you should drive further than downtown and see the rest of Ann Arbor every once in a while, or simply don't speak of which you do not know.
Old Salt
Sun, Aug 15, 2010 : 10:35 a.m.
I received the telephone Red Alert call, It started out " This is a Red Alert Press any key" it sounded to me like it was a scam so I hung up the receiver immediately. I do believe they should change the way red Alerts Begin.
Jay Allen
Sun, Aug 15, 2010 : 10:02 a.m.
I agree with the MANY comments praising AAPD in the days past on this topic and now the entire force is being thrown under the AATA! LOL And to I_love_ann_arbor, the crow comments are awesome! Where are the tree huggers yelling at the AAPD for arresting innocent, fine young men! I agree with ricebrnr. Guessing, AAPD needs these 4 to catch the other 2 which is who they are really after. Noe after all of the humor & laughter, on a more serious note. @Sallyxyz: "Responding to the above comment, there is plenty of lower income housing in A2. Look on the northside (off Barton, off Nixon, etc), the southside (near Scarlett and Carpenter schools) and the southwest side, off S Maple. There is also a lower income manufactured housing community (off Packard/Eisenhower). Is there a rat-infested tenement slum in A2? No. But that doesn't exist in any college town I know of." OMG, I do not know even where to start. If I did, AA.Com would pull my comments. This is pathetic. It really is. You wish to compare a home on Barton drive (anywhere) to a home on Platt (Scarlett)? Nixon with the exception of the Government subsidized home in and around Sandalwood to the other homes in and around Scarlett? We agree with the low income housing on Maple, but seriously, might I suggest you get out more. Go take a drive on Grassland Dr or 1st Ave in Ypsilanti. Go to MacArthur Blvd as well. Then get back to us on how "Barton Drive" compares.
HerrSnibbens
Sun, Aug 15, 2010 : 2:21 a.m.
"elitist socialists" That's a funny one. Either you don't understand what elitists are or you do not understand what socialists are. Or both? Do you use the term "Married bachelor" as well?
djm12652
Sat, Aug 14, 2010 : 11:11 a.m.
@I_love_ann_arbor...innocent? How about, not enough evidence to charge them...that does not mean 4 innocent men were arrested then released...could explain why I can't sleep, and am hesitant to walk my dog at night alone now...I live and work downtown...need I say more?
Citizen
Sat, Aug 14, 2010 : 10:42 a.m.
People need to be aware of their surroundings and have more common sense. Notice things like "if someone is in an area for a really long time not doing anything" or if they are so out of breath, they could only be that tired from running from the police. Those gentlemen that were outside that guy's window resting under a tree probably didn't look like they were out for an afternoon jog. If I was "hiding from the rain" I wouldn't be looking down the street, the same area I came bolting up from... that just says to me, "I am so tired, I am going to wait here for a second and look to see if someone chasing me isn't following anymore" But maybe the 4 gentlemen were released because the jewelry store has surveillance cameras and caught all their identities? In most cases, this is probably incorrect. I give credit to the Ann Arbor Police for trying to catch these guys, but once again you guys seem to be an empty badge in the end. Let's only hope that something comes out of this, otherwise I think I would rather spend my tax money to put a bat signal on top of that brand new police headquarters.
Sallyxyz
Sat, Aug 14, 2010 : 10:28 a.m.
"Ann Arbor is nothing but a bunch of eliteist socialist libs. And for a group that wants to be viewed as soooooo excepting of others you sure don't see a lot of lower income housing in A2." Responding to the above comment, there is plenty of lower income housing in A2. Look on the northside (off Barton, off Nixon, etc), the southside (near Scarlett and Carpenter schools) and the southwest side, off S Maple. There is also a lower income manufactured housing community (off Packard/Eisenhower). Is there a rat-infested tenement slum in A2? No. But that doesn't exist in any college town I know of.
GreenEggsandHam
Sat, Aug 14, 2010 : 10:21 a.m.
@jeepinkev Thanks for telling us where the scum live,I quess I'm scum too, at least I get too feel "special" when I come to Ann Arbor where I work for the University..Unbelievable
Craig Lounsbury
Sat, Aug 14, 2010 : 10:02 a.m.
"...just because we have not been informed of every single detail associated with the investigation is, in my opinion, to their credit." When 4 men originally arrested for "a brazen mid-afternoon robbery", armed I might add, are released without charges it would appear several suspects in an armed " brazen mid-afternoon robbery" are still at large somewhere in somebodies community. Further more "Police are asking residents to look in their yards, the bushes and around trees...for the guns, "expensive watches" that may have been stolen and "suspicious bags" that could have been used to conceal stolen items." Under the circumstances I think more information to the public is not asking too much.
Bob W
Sat, Aug 14, 2010 : 9:26 a.m.
Wow, doesn't take long for attitudes to change. Two days ago, praise for AAPD, now...? My wife and I are still in the praise group. I was unaware of the armed robbery that day and noticed two individuals behind our garage after that heavy rain. Thought they were trying to swipe one of our metal lawn chairs, why, beats me. I called the AAPD non-emergency number just to have them note some prowlers in the area for the next shift or something. I was even asked if I wanted them to send a car. I said no, didn't seem that kind of a priority. Within minutes, three patrol cars showed up, then a a UofM K-9 unit. The officer explained the situation and three of them began scouring back yards on foot with the dog all the way up to Davis Ave. and back. My wife noted to them a metal shed in a neighbor's yard had had the doors open about a foot for weeks, but was now closed. They checked it out, guns drawn, but it was empty. In retrospect, they were not stealing our chair, I'm convinced they were hiding and sitting on it behind our garage considering how I found it. We feel they handled things very professionally and just because we have not been informed of every single detail associated with the investigation is, in my opinion, to their credit.
Rusnak
Sat, Aug 14, 2010 : 8:45 a.m.
Jeepinkev, I find your comment about east of Carpenter Road objectionable. Ann Arbor pushes those out of town who don't live up to their social standards. Ann Arbor is nothing but a bunch of eliteist socialist libs. And for a group that wants to be viewed as soooooo excepting of others you sure don't see a lot of lower income housing in A2. and when you don't want to deal with those who are not in your social class you ship'em off to Ypsilanti. (i.e. the YMCA bldg. they moved everyone to Ypsilanti). Jeepinkev, go kick rocks!
Craig Lounsbury
Sat, Aug 14, 2010 : 6:59 a.m.
There is absolutely no history of the prosecutors office releasing armed robbery suspects for whom they have enough evidence to press charges. This thing does seem odd given the lack of "facts" released by authorities.
A Pretty Ann Arbor
Sat, Aug 14, 2010 : 6:44 a.m.
This just keeps getting stranger and stranger. Kudos to A2 for FINALLY issuing a code red...too bad they didn't do it the day that this happened - I had to find out from someone from U or M that they were on lock down.
tdw
Sat, Aug 14, 2010 : 5:47 a.m.
@Jeepinkev And on what facts do you base your "east of Carpenter" statement on? Oh thats right. None
bunnyabbot
Fri, Aug 13, 2010 : 9:36 p.m.
unbelievable
I_love_ann_arbor
Fri, Aug 13, 2010 : 9:30 p.m.
And you critics were saying what yesterday?????? Why aren't you good A2 folk up in arms about innocent people being arrested? Oh that's right, that taste of crow still has you licking your chops
jeepinkev
Fri, Aug 13, 2010 : 9:08 p.m.
These guys are long gone...well, at least East of Carpenter Road, which is basically Detroit. Good Move going West, then hopping a ride East. Good job letting the first FOUR guys go AAPD. Sure..."not enough evidence to convict"...better to let a thousand guilty guys go free than to chase after them. What made the AAPD question them in the first place? Either they had probable cause to think they were involved OR they were just questioning innocent people to make it seem like they were doing their job. Hmmm
Craig Lounsbury
Fri, Aug 13, 2010 : 6 p.m.
It seems possible that s couple loaded(?) guns could be floating around to be found by hopefully a responsible adult.
Ricebrnr
Fri, Aug 13, 2010 : 5:47 p.m.
Guns were seen but not recovered. No danger to the community I guess. If the 2 that got away didn't take the guns and loot with them I hope the neighborhood is prepared for these guys to show up and collect... On the other hand, maybe they didn't get the right guys in the first place?
Gorc
Fri, Aug 13, 2010 : 5:27 p.m.
Interesting turn of events. I'm guessing AAPD is gathering more evidence before they press charges.