Ann Arbor man vandalizes 10 cars because 'life is unfair'
A 21-year-old Ann Arbor man who said he was angry about being assaulted by "rich kids" and being discriminated against for being Irish Catholic vandalized 10 cars in the Church Street area Wednesday, Ann Arbor police said.
Ann Arbor police arrested the man at about 3 a.m. Wednesday after a witness reported seeing someone kicking the side mirror off a vehicle and hearing crashing sounds in the 1000 block of South Forest Avenue, Lt. Renee Bush said. Officers followed a trail of damaged cars and turned over trash cans to a man walking along Cambridge Road who matched the description given by the witness, according to Bush.
The man told police he was upset because three rich kids had assaulted him because he was Irish Catholic, Bush said. He also said he had been robbed and assaulted in the past while growing up in Detroit and, “it isn’t fair that these rich kids go to college without ever working a day in their life,” Bush said.
The man first told police that he was targeting cars that were not built in Michigan, but he later retracted that statement, Bush said. Many of the cars had broken windows or broken side mirrors, and he threw a brick through the rear window of one of the vehicles, Bush said.
The man is in custody and is waiting to be arraigned on charges of malicious destruction of property, Bush said.
Alcohol is believed to have played a role in the crime, Bush said.
Kyle Feldscher covers cops and courts for AnnArbor.com. He can be reached at kylefeldscher@annarbor.com or you can follow him on Twitter.
Comments
Patriot
Thu, Nov 24, 2011 : 2:24 p.m.
Occupier Mentality Exposed.
Elaine F. Owsley
Thu, Nov 24, 2011 : 1:34 p.m.
I think this kid has been watching too many really old black and white movies about the 1930's. No one has picked on Irish Catholics in decades. Where was he when Kennedy was President - oh wait, he wasn't born yet. I guess he doesn't read, either.
tinkerbell
Thu, Nov 24, 2011 : 5:37 p.m.
How would anyone know he was Irish Catholic unless he told him?
Jack
Thu, Nov 24, 2011 : 4:55 p.m.
I disagree, Elaine. I have heard more hateful comments about the Catholic religion than I have any other in recent years. Comments people would never dare make about other more politically sensitive religions. The problems with the priests have provided more fuel for the fire, with comments I've heard villifying all Catholics, either intentionally or unintentionally. For that matter, I have heard many derogatory and inappropriate comments about the Christian religion in general.
ChelseaBob
Thu, Nov 24, 2011 : 1:07 p.m.
Sounds very familiar. Isn't this the occupy wall street message? Maybe this guy should claim he was just protesting, and he'll get let off too.
10dz
Wed, Nov 23, 2011 : 11:58 p.m.
"Alcohol is believed to have played a role" really? I can't believe that.
KINGofSKA
Wed, Nov 23, 2011 : 11:56 p.m.
He needs a physique consult.
nicole
Wed, Nov 23, 2011 : 9:15 p.m.
I wonder if the vandal was of another ethnicity, if Ann Arbor News would have reported on it. Probably not.
bunnyabbot
Wed, Nov 23, 2011 : 9:25 p.m.
we don't really know if he was an Irish-American or just Irish living here? we don't even know if he is white or black. We can go by what the cops said were statements of his, Irish Catholic, the possibilities are many.
Barry
Wed, Nov 23, 2011 : 8:57 p.m.
"Alcohol is believed to have played a role in the crime, Bush said." Really? Alcohol? Life isn't fair. Never has been. Never will be. As the Rolling Stones put it - "You can't always get what you want You can't always get what you want You can't always get what you want But if you try sometimes you just might find You just might find You get what you need"
janeqdoe
Thu, Nov 24, 2011 : 12:44 p.m.
Love the song. Also, "Get Over It" by the Eagles fits: I turn on the tube and what do I see A whole lotta people cryin' "Don't blame me" They point their crooked little fingers ar everybody else Spend all their time feelin' sorry for themselves Victim of this, victim of that Your momma's too thin; your daddy's too fat Get over it Get over it All this whinin' and cryin' and pitchin' a fit Get over it, get over it You say you haven't been the same since you had your little crash But you might feel better if I gave you some cash The more I think about it, Old Billy was right Let's k_ll all the lawyers, k_ll 'em tonight You don't want to work, you want to live like a king But the big, bad world doesn't owe you a thing Get over it Get over it If you don't want to play, then you might as well split Get over it, Get over it It's like going to confession every time I hear you speak You're makin' the most of your losin' streak Some call it sick, but I call it weak You drag it around like a ball and chain You wallow in the guilt; you wallow in the pain You wave it like a flag, you wear it like a crown Got your mind in the gutter, bringin' everybody down Complain about the present and blame it on the past
bunnyabbot
Wed, Nov 23, 2011 : 9:21 p.m.
a swift kick from reality?
Mike
Wed, Nov 23, 2011 : 8:42 p.m.
Occupy (insert city name here) attracts people with these exact sentiments. Is there a problem with his logic?
yours. faithfully.
Wed, Nov 23, 2011 : 11:14 p.m.
The Occupy movements don't advocate vandalism or violence. Otherwise, what's really the difference between Ron Paul and Al Qaeda? They both hate the Federal government, amirite?
Michigan Man
Wed, Nov 23, 2011 : 7:52 p.m.
Thought I just read an article where Ann Arbor was home to the smartest people in America? Perhaps he is not from Ann Arbor?
omniskeptic
Fri, Nov 25, 2011 : 2:55 a.m.
Apparently the source for the article you read failed to monitor the general quality of thought demonstrated by our run of the mill commenters. Or else none of them is from Ann Arbor.
bunnyabbot
Wed, Nov 23, 2011 : 8:04 p.m.
article says he's from Detroit. Which would have been nice for him to vandalize cars there and not here if it were a choice between the two places.
cibachrome
Wed, Nov 23, 2011 : 7:18 p.m.
He sounds like a good candidate for City Council. Or Mayor?? Then he can help straighten things out. I own 2 cars built in Michigan (Lansing). That company pays business taxes, property taxes, payroll taxes, income taxes and personal property taxes right here in Michigan. Its employees put more money into Social Security than they eventually will take out. And, they pay 4.5 BBBBBillion into the health care system every 3 months. Much if it in Michigan. Its not Toyota, Mercedes, BMW or Honda, either. Life's just not fair, eh? Danged rich kids. They should be made to drive MGs or VW Beetles, or Datsuns....
RJA
Wed, Nov 23, 2011 : 7:03 p.m.
Would it be fair to put him in PHYC Center over here on Bemis Rd?
leezee
Wed, Nov 23, 2011 : 6:27 p.m.
I'm going to venture a guess that this person is not living in poverty. If you're not living as well as some others, suck it up. It will always be that way to some extent. I have some things in common with this young person - I grew up in Detroit, had the crap kicked out of me a few times (I'm Italian Catholic, but that wasn't the reason), envied those who had more ....but I would never damage property because of it. I paid my way through college, built a career, connected with my community and live a very satisfying life. Stop blaming everyone else for how your life is. Get off your butt and do something productive to make it better.
Woman in Ypsilanti
Wed, Nov 23, 2011 : 6:23 p.m.
Right. So if anyone complains about their car getting bashed in, the proper response is "too bad, life isn't fair"? Look, obviously it isn't ok for someone to express their frustration by vandalizing people's cars but that doesn't mean that there was something wrong with this guy's motives. Just because life is unfair, it doesn't mean that those who are getting the short end of the stick need to just sit back and take it. They just need to be directed and encouraged into changing the world in more acceptable ways.
Jhonny
Wed, Nov 23, 2011 : 6:09 p.m.
He sounds like one of crazy 99ers. I wonder if he was smelly.
bunnyabbot
Wed, Nov 23, 2011 : 6:38 p.m.
he was drunk, likely smelled of alcohol
15crown00
Wed, Nov 23, 2011 : 6:07 p.m.
a nut bag for sure.
DagnyJ
Wed, Nov 23, 2011 : 5:56 p.m.
No name of the suspect?
MikeAA
Wed, Nov 23, 2011 : 5:26 p.m.
If he thought life was unfair now, wait till he's on the wrong side of the justice system with no money.
janeqdoe
Thu, Nov 24, 2011 : 12:50 p.m.
If you are on the wrong side of the justice system, then you will likely get what you deserve. Actions have consequences.
seldon
Wed, Nov 23, 2011 : 5:41 p.m.
Something tells me this isn't his first time on the wrong side of the justice system.
CPS
Wed, Nov 23, 2011 : 5:23 p.m.
Poor kid...some FOOL at some point must have told him that life was fair, that everybody played nice, and that breaking things that belong to others would even the score somehow. Now we have TWO fools...
Belgium
Wed, Nov 23, 2011 : 5:19 p.m.
Irish Catholic? Seriously, I thought we moved on to discriminating against Gays, Lesbians and Transgenders since we can't openly discriminate against the blacks anymore. I need to attend the "rich kid" bullying meetings more often, I'm clearly out of the loop.
thecompound
Wed, Nov 23, 2011 : 7:06 p.m.
That's what popped out at me! Does he think it is 1900's NYC or whatever, lol.
Greg M
Wed, Nov 23, 2011 : 7:04 p.m.
No kidding. Irish Catholic is so 1850s.
bunnyabbot
Wed, Nov 23, 2011 : 5:10 p.m.
I think a lot of people feel that life is unfair, yet most people don't go out drunkenly vandalizing and destroying property. Most of us that is. This isn't a political statement, or even a statement about bullying. This was a 21 year old drunk loser that needs to grow up. Or as I like to say, "shut up and push".
say it plain
Wed, Nov 23, 2011 : 5:09 p.m.
Oh goodness, will AA.com start listing the 'explanations' offered for all criminal acts now?! Just to generate page-views and comments from us suckers lol?! I'd say this guy's reasoning is so similar to what's behind so many acts of theft, vandalism, etc. that it's actually pretty unremarkable if you think about it.
Rob MI
Wed, Nov 23, 2011 : 5:08 p.m.
The assault he claims to have suffered by "rich kids" will pale in comparison to the assaults he'll face when serving jail time. Have fun in the hoosegow--you earned it. Life isn't fair. Anyone who says it is is delusional. Life is what you make of it.
Morris Thorpe
Wed, Nov 23, 2011 : 5 p.m.
i see the problem. Why is this dude wondering around campus? He needs to be fighting a war somewhere so that these kids can go on with business as usual (parties, school, football games, etc.)
drut_ferguson
Wed, Nov 23, 2011 : 4:48 p.m.
Good thing he didn't try this at UC-Davis or he'd likely have been straight up maced in the face
snapshot
Wed, Nov 23, 2011 : 4:46 p.m.
49 million citizens living in poverty and getting more angry every day over the alienation they feel.
Billy Bob Schwartz
Wed, Nov 23, 2011 : 4:37 p.m.
Following your read of this article, please refer to the item about bullying. This is what happens when people bully other people. I had to work 50-plus hour weeks when I was in college. I just figured that's what you do when you come from a big family. I enjoyed making my own way. On the other hand, the last person who bullied me was Jimmy E. in Oak Ridge when I was in third grade. I "explained" to him that, well, bullying has a down side. And yes, a third grader can hurt you. So I don't really understand that feeling. Yet, this, again, is what happens when people bully other people, or are perceived to do so. BTW, what cars are actually "Built in Michigan?" There are so many parts in cars that come from elsewhere, and many foreign cars have a higher percentage of parts from North America than do some of the Chevys. I perfer to call them "American Named Cars." (Sorry, but it hacks me when people say that.)
Billy Bob Schwartz
Thu, Nov 24, 2011 : 3:24 a.m.
Well, yes, it was Oak Ridge, Tennessee. We only lived there for about three years (ca. 1948-51), but it was a great time to be a kid, and a great place to do it. And Tom Teague: I went to Pine Valley, too! Amazing coincidence. My second and third grade teacher was Doris Diseker, then Mrs. Walmsley for fourth, and we came to Michigan. BBS may not be my entirely complete real name, BTW.
Tom Teague
Wed, Nov 23, 2011 : 5:26 p.m.
@BBS - There are lots of Oak Ridges around, but if that was Oak Ridge, TN, please tell me which elementary school you attended. Mine was Pine Valley.
garrisondyer
Wed, Nov 23, 2011 : 4:48 p.m.
I've heard lots of stories about life growing up in Oak Ridge. I'm assuming we're talking about the "Nuclear City" in TN, right? I believe my parents are visiting some of my dad's longstanding friends from Oak Ridge right now.
garrisondyer
Wed, Nov 23, 2011 : 4:36 p.m.
The father of two of my good friends once told our whole circle of friends that "Life is unfair. And then you die." Wise words. I've found them quite liberating, to be honest. Sort of frees one up to brush off any of those self-centered feelings of "my life is unfair".
Davidian
Wed, Nov 23, 2011 : 4:35 p.m.
This presumptuous "I'm a failure because of rich people" and "they never had to work a day in their life" blame game is sounding really, really familiar and really, really old.
Bill Wilson
Fri, Nov 25, 2011 : 5:29 p.m.
Davidian, The MikeAA types are always willing to offer up this nonsense... until it's their car that's damaged. Then.... 'it's different." WMAL here in DC was interviewing one of the Wall Street protestors the other morning, and this person was lecturing the interviewer about the poor's "right to take an Ipad if they were to need it, and how the rich deserved poor treatment, as they were unwilling to share." UNTIL... the interviewer noticed that the lecturer had an Ipad himself, and asked how it was that he wasn't sharing his?" The reaction was hilarious: "well...... that's mine.... that's uhhhhh..... ummmmm.... different.....uh.... ummmmm...." Cracked me, and the interviewer,I might add, up.
MikeAA
Wed, Nov 23, 2011 : 5:28 p.m.
And perhaps, just a little bit more true than you're comfortable with.
deetdeedee
Wed, Nov 23, 2011 : 4:35 p.m.
Awe, he just needs a hug............
pseudo
Wed, Nov 23, 2011 : 4:24 p.m.
nice, adult, reaction for a 21 year old and I see it got him far. 21 is old enough to have a clue, clearly this guy doesn't have one.
smokeblwr
Wed, Nov 23, 2011 : 4:18 p.m.
Wow! I know the feeling. UM can be an alienating place. I wonder if all the vehicles had New York plates on them and were made in Germany? If you know what I mean....
nickcarraweigh
Wed, Nov 23, 2011 : 11:30 p.m.
I really don't know what you mean
Bertha Venation
Wed, Nov 23, 2011 : 4:12 p.m.
Hmmmm. Sounds like a course in anger management might be in order?