Police investigate robbery of woman walking near Fourth Avenue and Madison Street in Ann Arbor
Ann Arbor police continue to investigate the robbery of a 22-year-old woman Friday night near Fourth Avenue and Madison Street just south of downtown.
Ann Arbor police Lt. Renee Bush said the woman was walking near the intersection about 8 p.m. when a man approached her from behind and put his hand over her mouth. Bush said the man attempted to take her purse and pushed the woman to the ground, shoving her face and cutting her lip, before wrestling away the purse and leaving the area.
Officers arrived and found the woman sitting on the ground and talking on her cell phone, accompanied by several men who approached her to make sure she was OK. The man did not say anything to the woman during the robbery, Bush said.
Police found the purse in the 400 block of Fourth Avenue with all of the contents still in it except for the woman’s cash, Bush said. It is unclear how much money was in the purse, Bush said.
The woman refused medical treatment, Bush said.
The suspect is described as 5 feet 7 inches tall with a heavy build. He was last seen wearing a black jacket, black hat and black gloves, Bush said.
The incident is still under investigation and anyone with information is encouraged to call the Ann Arbor police anonymous tip line at 734-794-6939.
Comments
Tru2Blu76
Thu, Nov 24, 2011 : 5:52 p.m.
Can't imagine the terror this victim (or any victim) must feel when someone suddenly clamps a hand over their mouth and takes them down. I'm just glad this woman came through the experience okay - but wish she hadn't gone through it. Had a guy follow me closely for a couple blocks about this time last year. He was very likely after whatever I had in an Apple Store (w/ Apple Logo) bag I was carrying. Fortunately for me: I noticed his approach and we were downtown with a lot of people around. All I had to do was "let him know" I'd seen him and was aware of his actions. To shoo him off: I stopped at the intersection and pulled out my cell phone and dialed 911. If I had not taught myself to be alert and to check behind me frequently, the situation might not have been that good for me. This guy took the first way out: crossed the street, went straight up Fourth St. while I continued on to Main. Probably no connection: but this incident did happen on/near Fourth and the guy who tried to follow me was a young, white male about 5'7".
RJA
Wed, Nov 23, 2011 : 6:25 p.m.
I'm so glad several men approched her to see if she was OK. ! Thanks Guys! Great find of the purse AAPD! It's to bad we can't attatch a rear-view mirror somehow to our clothing so that we might be able to see hind-sight. (like behind us). Maybe I can tape a small mirror on the back of my cell phone. Already have pepper spray on my key chain.
Billy Bob Schwartz
Wed, Nov 23, 2011 : 7:36 p.m.
Yes, they do. You can get one that attaches to your eyeglasses (or sunglasses) or one that attaches to your bike helmet. The way things seem to be going, maybe a bike helmet might be just right for walking around town. Lol
Billy Bob Schwartz
Wed, Nov 23, 2011 : 7:23 p.m.
Don't they make small rear view mirrors to attach to a bicyclist? That might be the way to go.