Man punches would be robber in face outside Briarwood Mall
An employee at Briarwood Mall punched a man in the face who was attempting to rob him Thursday night, knocking him to ground in the mall parking lot, Ann Arbor police said.
Police spokeswoman Lt. Renee Bush said the 22-year-old victim was approached from behind and turned to see a man with a knife.
He punched the man, then ran into the mall and called police, Bush said. By the time officers responded, the would-be robber had left the area.
Police say it occurred between MC Sports and Von Maur at 9:30 p.m.
The man was described as black with a light complexion, 5 feet, 7 inches tall, 160 pounds, in his 20s, with a goatee. He was wearing dark clothing and a black baseball cap with a white "D" on it, police said.
Anyone with information can call the police department's tip line at (734) 794-6939.
Comments
Ron Granger
Tue, Dec 21, 2010 : 1:12 p.m.
@Tru2Blu76: "I say fortunately; I had him in my peripheral vision continuously and if he had tried to attack from behind, he would have been shot immediately because I was carrying my (licensed) Glock 9mm in a concealed "tactical holster" for quick access." -- I think you are ignoring the most likely scenario, and one which matches the facts as you described: The guy just wanted a cigarette, and he was also walking West. Why is it so hard to believe the most obvious explanation? Your lengthy comment reads like a rather elaborate fantasy to justify a readiness to shoot someone, who by all accounts was un-armed. One wonders if he had been distracted for a moment and bumped into you, whether you would have turned and shot him (or some other nearby innocent). There are many people on our streets who behave odd because they have disabilities. That doesn't make them dangerous, just odd. Sometimes people wander around, for any number of innocent reasons. It also isn't clear why you continued after he asked for the cigarette. Allowing him to continue ahead would have been the reasonable and safe thing to do. Carrying a gun greatly increases your obligation to avoid any conflict. If you truly felt you were being followed, the reasonable thing would have been to avoid a confrontation by entering a shop and then calling police. Alerting the police, with a good description, might have saved someone else. If you had shot him, they would have looked very hard at why you did not take any of the many opportunities to avoid the conflict. Pepper spray works great, and it isn't lethal. Many of us have CCWs. Of course, we hope we never need to draw a gun, or use it. But if someone threatens me, I can use the pepper spray without much regret. We all deserve to feel safe, and that we need not cower from a thug. But when armed, we have to balance that with the need to avoid conflict.
M.
Thu, Dec 16, 2010 : 3:46 p.m.
scooby...Was just responding to your assertion about carrying "at all times in all places" since it's apparently illegal to carry at Briarwood. Others are confirming that Briarwood has "posted" that they do not allow firearms on the premises. Obviously only criminals will ignore this, but if you're carrying there then you're breaking the law so it isn't an option to protect yourself in that manner at this particular business. Just sayin'.
Jay Thomas
Thu, Dec 16, 2010 : 12:15 p.m.
The "D" strikes again. Luckily the victim wasn't in Britain or he would have been charged with defending himself. :\
scoobysnacks
Thu, Dec 16, 2010 : 9:14 a.m.
Malorie...My conceal carry permit is unrestricted. I am legally allowed to carry anywhere in the state. Malls are not a no-carry zone unless posted otherwise. I encourage people to check out the various websites about conceal carrying and the training involved. There are requirements each applicant must meet including a background check by the police, having no prior convictions for any crime within so many years, must be mentally stable, etc. Also check out crime statistics in states who have similar CCW laws and compare those stats with states without CCW laws or DC. You will find that law abiding citizens who conceal carry arent cowboys or trigger happy as many think. I have never met anyone who carries that hopes they have to use deadly force, including myself. Criminals are going to use a weapon no matter what the law is. All the weapon related crimes that occur with carjackings, robberies, rapes, burglaries, etc are not done by someone with a CCW permit. A criminal isnt going to not use a gun to rob someone because they dont have a CCW. With proper training, conceal carry is very safe.
Ricebrnr
Thu, Dec 16, 2010 : 7:32 a.m.
Trublu, Point of clarification, it's not 2500 people, it's 2500 seats. It makes a big difference. In any case the links you provided has a great faq that answers that as well as links to.gov sites/cites. Btw great situational awareness! Action beats reaction and nothing can help a person who remains or chooses to remain unaware. 1*
glimmertwin
Thu, Dec 16, 2010 : 5:11 a.m.
Stories like this make me smile.
M.
Wed, Dec 15, 2010 : 11:45 p.m.
Scooby I could be wrong and I'm sure someone will correct me if I am...but aren't most malls no-carry zones? I thought it was illegal to carry at a mall.
RJA
Wed, Dec 15, 2010 : 7:31 p.m.
The employee didn't hit him hard enough, another time in the face, then a kick in the groin might have had him stay put until the police got there. I have no doubt that he will return to the parking lot.
scoobysnacks
Wed, Dec 15, 2010 : 2:47 p.m.
Hey Ron...I have hundreds of hours of professional training in both mixed martial arts and shooting. I also have nearly 100 hours of training in weapon retention and disarming subjects with edged weapons or guns. I practice and/or train often and I guarantee I wont "fumble for my weapon" as you stated. So this expert(me) is always prepared and will defend myself and my family against people such as the one in this story. This would be robber likely will strike again, and as i said before, it may be you or your loved one who is victimized. I hope he is caught before he hurts or kills someone.
Buster W.
Wed, Dec 15, 2010 : 2:08 p.m.
I love stories like this...not that it happened but that potential/able victims don't put up with it. The police can't be everywhere. Too bad he wasn't caught. Glad the innocent weren't injured.
stevek
Wed, Dec 15, 2010 : 2:06 p.m.
Excellent!!!!
AlphaAlpha
Wed, Dec 15, 2010 : 1:59 p.m.
"Experts *always*..." Wow.
Ron Granger
Wed, Dec 15, 2010 : 1:39 p.m.
The problem here is the guy did not kick the suspect, as necessary to detain, until police arrived. As for "scoobysnacks", your gun means nothing if you are hit from behind. That is often the case in attacks. Or, in this case, you get stabbed while you fumble for your weapon. Experts *always* teach that guns are no match for knives up close. "Up close" being within 21 feet.
smokeblwr
Wed, Dec 15, 2010 : 12:10 p.m.
I think the Whole Foods incident was an employee tackling a shoplifter. The employee wasn't directly threatened with a knife.
scoobysnacks
Wed, Dec 15, 2010 : 12:09 p.m.
Classic example of why i carry a gun at all times in all places. This would be robber would have not gotten away with this. I am sure he will find another person, maybe you or a loved one, to pull a knife on and possibly stab. There is no place thats safe. Be aware of your surroundings at all times by looking and listening, and walk with other people when possible.
djm12652
Wed, Dec 15, 2010 : 12:08 p.m.
@xmo...there most likely wouldn't be any criminal charges against the victim...but just wait until Jeffrey Feiger files a civil suit on behalf of the knife wielding thug with a black eye....
xmo
Wed, Dec 15, 2010 : 11:42 a.m.
So, was the employee who punched the robber charged with Assult?
rusty shackelford
Wed, Dec 15, 2010 : 11:27 a.m.
True story: something similar happened at the Whole Foods in town, which fired the employee because it's against policy to touch a customer. (They must have had a very loose definition of customer...)
ViSHa
Wed, Dec 15, 2010 : 11:20 a.m.
Awesome! Now why couldn't someone have gotten that video'd on their phone and posted to YouTube? Surprised there would be a robber out when it is so cold.
ChrisW
Wed, Dec 15, 2010 : 10:37 a.m.
What time was this at? We were right there about 8pm last night. Didn't see anything, though.
timjbd
Wed, Dec 15, 2010 : 10:32 a.m.
I once caught a guy letting the air out of my tire in the Briarwood parking lot. The look on his face was priceless.
Urban Sombrero
Wed, Dec 15, 2010 : 10:32 a.m.
That guy must have some serious backbone. If someone came at me with a knife I'd likely scream, pee myself and curl up into the fetal position on the ground. Seriously, though, I'm glad he's alright. It could have ended with a much different scenario.