Break-ins on the rise in Ypsilanti around EMU campus areas, police say

The warning comes a day after an Eastern Michigan University student was sexually assaulted by a man who broke into her residence in the in the 600 block of West Cross Street at 10:30 a.m. Monday. Officers arrested a man in the area and are investigating him in connection with that case and other home invasions, but he has not yet been charged in any of the cases.

Ypsilanti police records show officers investigated four burglaries Monday. In addition to the home invasion and sexual assault:

• A woman who lives in the 600 block of North Adams told police someone attempted to break in at 9 a.m., but was scared away when she confronted him. No description of the man was available.
• A resident who lives in the 600 block of Emmet said someone broke in sometime during the weekend. No one was home, and nothing appeared to have been taken.
• A resident who lives in the 700 block of Stanley reported someone broke in over the weekend and stole some electronics. No one was home at the time.

EMU police said in a release that campus officers are working closely with Ypsilanti police to investigate the break-ins.

Police urged residents to:

• Secure their residence and yard. In one of the burglaries, a ladder in the yard was used to gain entry through an unlocked second-story window.
• Lock all doors and windows, and make sure the locks are functioning properly.
• Leave interior and exterior lights on.
• Keep shrubbery trimmed around the home to increase visibility.

Anyone with information on the break-ins can call Ypsilanti police at 734-483-9510.