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Posted on Mon, Oct 26, 2009 : 7:08 p.m.

Ann Arbor police say burglaries on city's west side have subsided

By Amalie Nash

Ann Arbor police say a rash of burglaries on the city's west side since May have subsided in recent weeks, likely due in part to several arrests.

The most recent arrest came today, when a man was captured after police say he attempted to steal a laptop computer from a home.

Detective Sgt. Pat Hughes said the man, who ran and was caught after a foot chase, is likely responsible for more break-ins. But he's only been in the area since Sept. 1 - meaning others are also responsible for the nearly two dozen burglaries between May and August.

Hughes said police have sought arrest warrants for two others suspected in several home invasions.

Ann Arbor Police Chief Barnett Jones will discuss the break-ins and the city's effort to curb them Tuesday during a two-hour question and answer session. It begins at 5 p.m. at the Ann Arbor Community Center, 625 North Main St. The city held a similar meeting in September.

Since the beginning of September, six burglaries have been reported in the area - referred to by police as the Old Northwest side - which is not an unusually high number, Hughes said. 

"We're not seeing an influx anymore," Hughes said. "It seems to have calmed."

But police encouraged residents to remain vigilant by locking their doors and windows, and reporting any suspicious activity to police.

Comments

walker101

Wed, Oct 28, 2009 : 8:44 a.m.

Kind of like dealing with DTE employees, not sure if they are for real?

jjsteich

Tue, Oct 27, 2009 : 10 a.m.

This is responsible reporting about events in our town. We on the Northside part of town are grateful for the attention and quick response that Ann Arbor police gave during our recent spate of burglaries. Folks, these are not always strangers or "others" breaking into homes--of course, that happens, too--but often it is people in your own neighborhood who are desperate for a few bucks, who've been turned down by every social agency--b/c there just aren't enough funds to take care of all--and many, many employers talk a good game, but won't give an ex-con a job. With the jobs situation like it is (a buyer's market) they can reject anyone who's not squeaky clean. Why give a con a break? No, just let them live under our bridges and in tent cities and then complain when they break into your home. My solution? I volunteer & I give what I can whenever I can to anyone who needs a couple of bucks. We need to spend more money on education--that's the best form of crime prevention.

Patrick Haggood

Tue, Oct 27, 2009 : 8:58 a.m.

@Overtaxed "released criminals from Jackson [moving in]" Really? Wow, if I'd only known the stipend you get from prison makes A2 so affordable I wouldn't have gotten into the software racket. Time for a career change, me-thinks.

jtwilkins

Tue, Oct 27, 2009 : 8:55 a.m.

I wish Ann Arbor wouldn't forget about the East Side of Ann Arbor. I am not worried about the "Utility Worker" home invasion but we have so many solicitors on a daily basis it is very easy for potential robbers to check who is home and who isn't on the block in a very short period with zero risk. @frozenhotchocolate Yes, we do lock our doors on the East side though I still don't consider my neighborhood a high crime area but they just kick in back doors mid-afternoon.

BornNRaised

Tue, Oct 27, 2009 : 7:40 a.m.

I think the point that was trying to be made was is Ann Arbor really the place you want to cut the police force considering the 'diversity'?

OverTaxed

Mon, Oct 26, 2009 : 9:53 p.m.

Ann Arbor invites a diverse population. You get what you ask for. I think released criminals from Jackson still get dropped here. No worries if one moves next to you.

peihaha

Mon, Oct 26, 2009 : 9:38 p.m.

When I read the first paragraph I started to get excited because the crime is starting to calming down because of all the arrests. Then the second paragraph tells us that the most recent arrest was actually TODAY. Wow... so there won't be any arrest tomorrow, or the day after tomorrow?

frozenhotchocolate

Mon, Oct 26, 2009 : 9:26 p.m.

Ever heard of locking the door. Ann Arbor is not impervious to drug addicts. Knuckleheads.

Julie

Mon, Oct 26, 2009 : 7:07 p.m.

Bragging? It's reporting. Some facts. You are reading way too much into this.

StopThink

Mon, Oct 26, 2009 : 6:51 p.m.

Wow, so the city will brag that crime is down on the west side, but now there's a story of fake utility workers breaking into homes and stealing cash. Oh, that's on the southeast side, so I guess that crime doesn't count!

Atleast

Mon, Oct 26, 2009 : 3:58 p.m.

Old Northwest side?