Snowy footprints lead Pittsfield police to man accused of armed robbery, theft at 2 gas stations
A thief armed with a knife stole two large boxes of Snickers, about 25 knit hats and two dozen magazines from two different gas stations in Pittsfield Township early today, police said.
But the 40-year-old Ypsilanti Township man accused of committing the crimes didn't get far — footprints in the snow led officers to a nearby apartment, where he and the stolen goods were found, according to a news release.
Both thefts occurred at gas stations at the intersection of Washtenaw Avenue at Golfside Road, police said.
At 3:55 a.m., the man entered one gas station, grabbed the boxes of candy bars and hats, then broke down an exit door and escaped, the release said.
At 5:15 a.m., the cashier at the station where the theft occurred saw the man enter another gas station across the street, police said. Moments later, the clerk from that gas station called police to report he had just been robbed at knifepoint, the release said. The thief stole magazines and left.
The clerk showed officers the thief's tracks in the snowy parking lot, and they followed the shoe prints to a nearby apartment complex across Golfside Road in Ypsilanti Township, the release said.
The resident who lives at the apartment allowed officers from Pittsfield Township and the Washtenaw County Sheriff's Department inside, and the stolen property was recovered, police said. The items were valued at $500.
The 40-year-old suspect, who was inside the apartment with the resident, was arrested and is expected to be arraigned Sunday, police said.
Comments
nxil2009
Tue, Feb 15, 2011 : 11:41 p.m.
He should become a realestate developer instead
redrobin
Mon, Feb 14, 2011 : 2:40 a.m.
The suspect may have been drunk or high. Either way, it's sad because he was most likely starving. Then I'm sure he just rolled with it and went wild once he got inside the store. I hope no one was hurt.
RJA
Sun, Feb 13, 2011 : 12:36 a.m.
You just got to love fresh (foot prints) in the snow. It certainly helps the officers track a thief down. Thanks to all that helped get him caught.
bedrog
Sat, Feb 12, 2011 : 10:36 p.m.
"Darwin Award "contender....(sadly at 40 yrs of age the guy probably has already bred).
Lovaduck
Sat, Feb 12, 2011 : 6:11 p.m.
I've heard the commercial "What would you do for a Klondike bar?" but gee whiz, the things they'll do for a SNICKERS bar!
The Black Stallion3
Sat, Feb 12, 2011 : 6:10 p.m.
Such a smart individual, he obviously did not pay attention in robbery 101 class.
zip the cat
Sat, Feb 12, 2011 : 3:53 p.m.
Sounds like Dumb and Dumber at its best
chapmaja
Sat, Feb 12, 2011 : 3:50 p.m.
I would be interested to know the history of this suspect. At 40 years old this almost sounds like he is a career criminal that wants back on the inside. LEt's face it if someone has spent a long period of time inside they flat out are not cut oiut for life outside. This would not be the first time a criminal was released from prison and did something really stupid to get himself or herself back inside because they couldn't handle it on the outside. If this wasn't someone trying to stupidly get back on the inside then he just goes down as one of the all time stupid criminals.
dading dont delete me bro
Sat, Feb 12, 2011 : 3:02 p.m.
no one said you had to be bright to be an alleged thief.
jcj
Sat, Feb 12, 2011 : 2:13 p.m.
I hope he learns from this. And remembers when he gets out of jail in 3 month he will need to take some bread crumbs with him the next time because there will be no snow.
breadman
Sat, Feb 12, 2011 : 2:06 p.m.
What a story! Must of been hungry to take two boxes of candy bars, forgot to pay his heating bill so he needed to layer on hats.so he can sit down and read his collection of magazines. Worst time for a crime in the snow. called foot prints in the snow....