Ann Arbor sees spike in robberies, but police say it's no cause for alarm
The numbers might lead one to think a recent spate of robberies in Ann Arbor, both armed and unarmed, is cause for alarm. However, police say the recent incidents don't indicate a trend.
In the city of Ann Arbor and on the campus of the University of Michigan, just five armed robberies were reported from Jan. 1 to March 19, according to CrimeMapping.com. However, since March 19, Ann Arbor police and university police have responded to 11 robbery reports, including six armed robberies, according to the website.
But officials from both the Ann Arbor Police Department and the University of Michigan Department of Public Safety were loathe to say that the increase during the past month was unusual.
Ann Arbor police Detective Lt. Robert Pfannes said the crimes committed during the last month fall into two distinct camps: dangerous robberies involving weapons and crimes of opportunity such as unarmed robberies of cell phones. The robberies of a pizza delivery driver, the Broadway Party Store and a Subway most concern police because of the potential for violence that comes in those kinds of crimes.
This image was captured from security camera video taken during the robbery of the Broadway Party store in Ann Arbor earlier this month.
“Those are crimes when intent meets opportunity,” Pfannes said. “Armed robbery generally involves some amount of premeditation.”
Police continue to investigate each of the unsolved robberies that have occurred since March 19. The incidents involving guns were the April 3 robbery of a Subway on Eisenhower Parkway, the April 9 robbery of the Broadway Party Store and the April 12 robbery of a Bell’s Pizza deliveryman on Bluestem Lane.
The other Ann Arbor armed robbery was reported on April 11 after a Flint man was hit with a rock and robbed of liquor and cash.
An arrest was made Friday in the robberies of an Ann Arbor Denny’s and a Circle K location on Saturday. The man was scheduled to be arraigned Friday afternoon, police said.
Pfannes said there’s no evidence at this point that the armed robberies are related, as evidenced by the varied suspect descriptions police have released following each of the crimes.
The robberies come as the number of home invasions reported in the city has decreased after the year started with a spate of incidents. According to CrimeMapping.com, there were 45 home invasions reported in January and 43 reported in February, but just 26 reported in March and 21 reported through Thursday.
However, the decrease in the number of home invasions and uptick in robberies is coincidental, Pfannes said.
“The suspect is different in robberies (than in home invasions) because they aren’t afraid of one-on-one confrontation,” he said. “Robberies are more dangerous because of the potential for violence. Someone breaking into a house is looking to avoid contact with anyone else.”
Most of the cell phone robberies have occurred on the University of Michigan campus, where three men have been arrested and charged for the crimes.
A Saginaw man was arrested for the March 19 robbery of a U-M student in the Nichols Arboretum. The man punched the woman in the face and then took her cell phone and cash before fleeing the area, police said. He was arrested in Saginaw after he was identified by security camera footage and the woman's cell phone location was tracked to his Saginaw home, police said.
Mark Jones and Billy Venson were arrested on April 4 after one of them robbed a student of his cell phone near the Northwood Apartments and then fled in a Dodge Charger. Police stopped the men a short time after the robbery and arrested them for possession of drugs with intent to deliver. They were later charged with unarmed robbery for the incident. Both men are currently lodged at the Washtenaw County Jail.
U-M Department of Public Safety spokeswoman Diane Brown said cell phones are becoming an in-demand item. She said phones are often stolen and then resold in exchange for drugs, with iPhones commanding about $100 a piece on the black market. Other smart phones usually bring about $50 when resold, usually to drug dealers, Brown said.
“That’s consistent with what we’ve heard,” she said.
Brown said it's difficult to balance warning citizens to protect themselves without blaming the victims for the crimes. She said everyone should be able to come and go as they please, but feeling too safe can sometimes lead to a person turning into easy prey for a potential criminal.
Despite the recent incidents, Washtenaw County Sheriff’s Office spokesman Derrick Jackson said the market for cell phones in area pawn shops isn’t exactly booming right now. Only one cell phone that is currently in a pawn shop has come from Washtenaw County and a shared inventory database means police are alerted when a stolen cell phone comes in to a store, he said.
Jackson said the sheriff’s office jurisdiction usually sees a corresponding uptick when certain types of crimes go up in Ann Arbor and other parts of the county and, so far, that hasn't happened with respect to robberies.
“We’ve had armed robberies, that’s for sure, but it doesn’t seem like there’s a real increase,” he 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
Doc03911
Mon, Apr 23, 2012 : 2:11 p.m.
A sawed off shotgun (illegal) yeah there's nothing to worry about. /s
Paul
Sun, Apr 22, 2012 : 7:14 p.m.
Worthless cops. Worthless A2 cops. What a ridiculous headline with that photo.
CPLtownie
Sun, Apr 22, 2012 : 3:13 p.m.
I just hope whoever gets into office this coming November doesn't decide that our second amendment rights need to be fiddled with. Seeing how protection has shifted from public to private, people have the right to do whatever necessary to maintain their own safety. I'm not particulary political, but I'm not all that convinced a second term isn't going to attempt to erase the progress that's been made in responsible, legal, gun ownership.
Cathy
Sun, Apr 22, 2012 : 12:38 p.m.
In the last few years, the state of Michigan has been balancing the budget by releasing dangerous criminals from prison. In essence, the state government is shifting the cost of criminality back to the general public.
Tru2Blu76
Sun, Apr 22, 2012 : 4:38 a.m.
"Robberies are more dangerous because of the potential for violence. Someone breaking into a house is looking to avoid contact with anyone else." --- Tell that to Dr. Petit whose wife and two daughters were brutally abused and slowly killed by two drifters who KNEW the house was occupied and knew they'd have to force the wife to go to the bank to withdraw cash (while they bought a can of gasoline to incinerate her and her daughters once the "pay off" had been received). "Brown said it's difficult to balance warning citizens to protect themselves without blaming the victims for the crimes." Well now we know the true power of AnnArbor.com policy: even the police are afraid their statements will be deleted if they say anything about us taking some responsibility for our own safety. LOL! We are all down the rabbit hole for sure. ;-)
Wolf's Bane
Sat, Apr 21, 2012 : 10:16 p.m.
Hey, "No cause for alarm?" Try, no more property taxes, huh? Try, a national boycott cause cities can't protect their citizens. Try, that on for size, A2?
UlyssesWrong1
Sat, Apr 21, 2012 : 8:29 p.m.
I've always felt safe in Ann Arbor. Crime is a reality of any city with the proper size, population and economy, but crime in Ann Arbor is usually low, and the fact that we've had a small flux in crime #'s and it makes people think all hell is breaking loose in Ann Arbor shows us just how safe our city really is.
CPLtownie
Sat, Apr 21, 2012 : 8:48 p.m.
Yep, keep telling yourself that. Small flux. Right. For almost 5 months now. Not so small now, is it? And now we have sawed off street sweepers being used in crimes. Ann Arbor has become the sugar cube that all the miscreants are crawling on...
psaume23
Sat, Apr 21, 2012 : 5:37 p.m.
"An armed public is a safer public." Except when some members of the armed public decide to take their arms, wear masks, and stick up a party store.
james
Sun, Apr 22, 2012 : 5:46 p.m.
Do you believe in legalizing drugs? If you do, you should also believe in allowing the public to be armed. It's that same government control over your lives that gives you both of these types of laws. Stricter drug laws won't stop people from doing illegal drugs and stricter gun laws won't prevent criminals from terrorizing and robbing innocent people. Look at the cities with the strictest gun laws: Detroit, Washington D.C. New york City. I could go on. Gun-related crime has only increased in these cities. In fact, it's most likely why we are seeing an increase in crime in AA: criminals know the liberal hippies in Ann Arbor (who are against guns) won't defend themselves against a robbery and they can steal and plunder as they see fit.
Pickforddick
Sat, Apr 21, 2012 : 6:24 p.m.
And you want us to believe these burglars purchased their guns legally?
djm12652
Sat, Apr 21, 2012 : 3:18 p.m.
"But officials from both the Ann Arbor Police Department and the University of Michigan Department of Public Safety were loathe to say that the increase during the past month was unusual." ...okay...were loath to say...why not use simple English, and spelled correctly..?
Old Salt
Sat, Apr 21, 2012 : 3:02 p.m.
Right .... No cause for alarm as long as it is not ne
The Black Stallion3
Sat, Apr 21, 2012 : 12:03 p.m.
The nation is seeing a spike in the national debt ......but the President says it is no cause for alarm.....sound familiar?
Pickforddick
Sat, Apr 21, 2012 : 4:09 p.m.
I wouldn't believe a word he says.
Rational1
Fri, Apr 20, 2012 : 10:34 p.m.
Where do the cops say armed robbery is no cause for alarm?
djm12652
Sat, Apr 21, 2012 : 3:23 p.m.
The cops said they don't see the spike in robberies as a trend...the writer used total journalistic license here...
Rational1
Sat, Apr 21, 2012 : 2:02 a.m.
@homeland - you are quoting the writer not the cops
Homeland Conspiracy
Sat, Apr 21, 2012 : 1:05 a.m.
"Ann Arbor sees spike in robberies, but police say it's no cause for alarm"
KMHall
Fri, Apr 20, 2012 : 11:09 p.m.
Unfortunate choice for a headline.
Carole
Fri, Apr 20, 2012 : 10:32 p.m.
Frankly, I think it is disgusting and am uneasy that those in charge seem to feel that there is no cause to be alarmed. Long time resident, more crimes in the past year than ever before.
tommy_t
Fri, Apr 20, 2012 : 10:26 p.m.
If this keeps up it will definitely cause pay raises in the upper echelons.
a2tom
Fri, Apr 20, 2012 : 9:58 p.m.
People...People....People......relax! everything is under control......just go down to 5th a Huron and gaze upon our 800 thousand dollar piece of scrap metal and it will soothe your fears.
jns131
Sat, Apr 21, 2012 : 8:55 p.m.
alms for the poor..........
motorcycleminer
Sat, Apr 21, 2012 : 11:30 a.m.
Too bad that eyesore's not made of copper it would have been gone about 10 minutes after it was put up...
The Black Stallion3
Fri, Apr 20, 2012 : 10:44 p.m.
You are so right !!!
jns131
Fri, Apr 20, 2012 : 9:54 p.m.
I just read the state of Michigan is going to legalize tazer guns for personal use. What with the reduction in crime in Ann Arbor......o wait, that is the reduction of the police force, sounds like we might need them to protect ourselves. The only reason they are saying what they are saying is because the sheriff has announced that the Ann Arbor crime rate for the first time in history, is higher then Ypsilanti. I know, I heard it in our last neighborhood watch meeting. Go figure.
The Black Stallion3
Fri, Apr 20, 2012 : 9:50 p.m.
Detroit has a much higher crime rate than a2. It stands to reason that if that City's populace moves closer to a2, our crime rate would go up. There is no racism there.
motorcycleminer
Sat, Apr 21, 2012 : 11:35 a.m.
Ann Arbor is the equivalent of an expressway McDonalds for crime ...easy off easy on....
Nick Danger
Fri, Apr 20, 2012 : 9:45 p.m.
Don't worry about it. We don't need more police protection spend the money on art
ranger007
Fri, Apr 20, 2012 : 9:37 p.m.
This head line is a joke right?..I thought april fools was on april 1st.
The Black Stallion3
Fri, Apr 20, 2012 : 9:20 p.m.
What do you think Max? How would you surmise the increase in A2 crime?
Linda Peck
Fri, Apr 20, 2012 : 9:19 p.m.
No cause for alarm? What has this place come to?
MRunner73
Fri, Apr 20, 2012 : 9:09 p.m.
The city needs too increase the police force. The crimals know that they have a better chance of committing a robbery. All of these reports put out in AA.com rings louds with me that the impacts of a reduced police force is now being felt. Hire more police. I don't see any patrol cars when I head to work weekdays around the 4 AM hour as I did 4 or 5 years ago. Very sad indeed.
CPLtownie
Fri, Apr 20, 2012 : 8:33 p.m.
I'm not alarmed at facing a sawed off street sweeper. >sarcasm<
JRW
Fri, Apr 20, 2012 : 8:13 p.m.
There is cause for alarm, folks. When was the last time that A2 had armed robberies in retail stores? The police are part of the PR machine for the city of A2, and of course, they do not want to tarnish the image of the city. That's why crime stats are manipulated. For example, why don't the city and UM COMBINE crime stats and provide one report per month? It's ridiculous to keep those stats separate, it just gives an incomplete picture and makes the crime rate look lower by dividing it into two reports.
justcurious
Sat, Apr 21, 2012 : 1:35 p.m.
I was thinking the same thing...maybe the police officials have their orders. Orders to make Ann Arbor seem like the upper class, low crime, urban scene the city officials wish it to be.
AfterDark
Fri, Apr 20, 2012 : 9:29 p.m.
Sorry to burst your bubbled rant but armed robberies aren't new to A2. Years ago my employer's business, mere blocks from the police station, was held up at gunpoint one evening. It happens but most citizens are oblivious unless some other issue (like budget cuts) draws their attention to it.
MRunner73
Fri, Apr 20, 2012 : 9:05 p.m.
Great post and comments...you want to know what the real problem is? Less police and the criminals know it. I think statistics would indicate that. This is really sad but the horse is out of barn on the impacts of the reduced police force. Also sad is the spin dished out by the police force.
Chudate
Fri, Apr 20, 2012 : 8:37 p.m.
You asked and answered your own question. "...makes the crime rate look lower..."
Homeland Conspiracy
Fri, Apr 20, 2012 : 8:10 p.m.
I think I hear fiddle music while Ann Arbor burns
jns131
Fri, Apr 20, 2012 : 9:57 p.m.
No, that is the concert being held in Ypsilanti at the Whittaker branch. You didn't know? Henry Ford's fiddle is being played.
Major
Fri, Apr 20, 2012 : 8:02 p.m.
WHAT!? "no cause for alarm", "just five armed robberies" in a month and a half, followed by 6 more the following month!?!?!? That has got my attention...BIG TIME!!! Do not tell me I should not be alarmed at that...get me outta this town, why oh why did I move back...this ain't the Ann Arbor I knew!!
Major
Sun, Apr 22, 2012 : 1:23 a.m.
I'm not panicked, I'm the last person a crook wants to deal with, and would gladly deal with the problem. I'm disgusted by the lack of concern by the "Ann Arbor powers that be" in preserving the security of its constituents!
jns131
Fri, Apr 20, 2012 : 9:56 p.m.
Just remember this. It will all be over with on December 21, 2012. Then things will be back to normal. I think.
Ron Granger
Fri, Apr 20, 2012 : 9:36 p.m.
"Do not tell me I should not be alarmed at that...get me outta this town, why oh why did I move back...this ain't the Ann Arbor I knew!!" Well, then panic if you like. Feel like a hunted victim. How you want to feel about your environment day to day is your choice. Me, I'm not alarmed.
CPLtownie
Fri, Apr 20, 2012 : 8:34 p.m.
sold my house in Hell MI...glad I didn't buy in Ann Arbor - I will continue to rent my house, thank you.
motorcycleminer
Fri, Apr 20, 2012 : 7:59 p.m.
Damned easy to say when your not the one looking down the barrel of the gun....DUH...
Rosarium
Fri, Apr 20, 2012 : 7:59 p.m.
Reality is a hard teacher, but the best one. When citizens grow tired of failed solutions to crime, they may start to embrace biological unity when all other solutions have been exhausted.
motorcycleminer
Sat, Apr 21, 2012 : 3:09 p.m.
The 60's like a cockroach die hard....the reality of the new century leaves little room for the summer of love, ...those who ignore it are the willing victims of the very forces that want to destroy our culture both from without and within....sad but true
djm12652
Sat, Apr 21, 2012 : 2:39 p.m.
I never grow tired of protecting myself and my loved ones and will do so until I die...
The Black Stallion3
Fri, Apr 20, 2012 : 9:50 p.m.
I guess you are not allowed to say the word joking .......sorry, I did not realize that was such a bad word.
Rosarium
Fri, Apr 20, 2012 : 9:35 p.m.
"...Please tell me you are joking..." Look at my avatar and think about biological unity.
Rosarium
Fri, Apr 20, 2012 : 9:29 p.m.
"...Lets blow them all kisses and sing kumbaya!" You really are missing the Big Picture the power of biological unity ;-)
jcj
Fri, Apr 20, 2012 : 9:11 p.m.
Lets blow them all kisses and sing kumbaya! That is sure to make them put the TV down. LOL
Rosarium
Fri, Apr 20, 2012 : 8:38 p.m.
"...I will embrace my baseball bat!" I was thinking of something more along the lines of how Gandhi would approach this problem, but if you want to bring a baseball bat I'm sure the police would love to have a chat with you.
CPLtownie
Fri, Apr 20, 2012 : 8:35 p.m.
biological unity? shall we sneeze the criminals to death?
jcj
Fri, Apr 20, 2012 : 8:09 p.m.
What? I will embrace my baseball bat!
Irwin Daniels
Fri, Apr 20, 2012 : 7:47 p.m.
"Move Along, Nothing To See Here" Quoted from many movies and television shows
tommy_t
Fri, Apr 20, 2012 : 10:17 p.m.
"...and don't step on the body."
2WheelsGood
Fri, Apr 20, 2012 : 7:35 p.m.
"but police say it's no cause for alarm" ... said the guy with the gun, pepper spray, tazer, and no restrictions on when and where he can carry. I beg to differ; we should all be concerned.
djm12652
Sat, Apr 21, 2012 : 2:37 p.m.
@RobertHughes, Michigan has very strict gun laws on the books already. It's the fact that most of the crimes involving illegal weapons are usually pleaded down rather than enforced. If we had stricter gun laws...ya think the criminal element would have a tougher time? Nope....
Robert Hughes
Fri, Apr 20, 2012 : 9:48 p.m.
I don't think an armed public is a safer public. We'd be a lot better off with much stricter gun laws. It would be harder to get illegal guns; and those who wanted them, could still have them.
Chudate
Fri, Apr 20, 2012 : 8:35 p.m.
An armed public is a safer public. Only bad guys have guns where it's illegal to carry.
JustinHale
Fri, Apr 20, 2012 : 8:27 p.m.
Amen.
Mike
Fri, Apr 20, 2012 : 7:15 p.m.
It's a sign of the times. We can just hope for change...............
Robert Hughes
Fri, Apr 20, 2012 : 9:42 p.m.
CPLtownie, you might try and devise an art installation that would help minimize crime, and then propose it to city council.
CPLtownie
Fri, Apr 20, 2012 : 8:36 p.m.
we can hope for less art and more street beats