Police investigating whether BP gas station robberies are related
Pittsfield Public Safety Director Matt Harshberger confirmed Monday afternoon that police are investigating the armed robberies of two gas stations to see if they are related.
Police arrested a 25-year-old Sebewaing, Mich. man after he reportedly brandished a shotgun during a robbery at a BP gas station near Washtenaw Avenue and Golfside Drive Monday morning, three days after a BP gas station was robbed west on Washtenaw in Ann Arbor on Saturday.
"The circumstances seem to be very, very similar,” Harshberger said.
In both cases, the suspect was a masked white man with a long gun who walked in and demanded money. The suspect escaped on Saturday, fleeing southbound on Yost Boulevard, Ann Arbor police said.
The suspect on Monday wasn't so lucky. He attempted to flee in a vehicle, but quickly got hemmed in by traffic, Harshberger said.
“I think he saw our vehicles arriving on scene,” he added.
The man hopped out of the vehicle and attempted to flee on foot.
“He ended up running by one of our guys,” Harsheberger said.
Officers chased the man down and arrested him without incident. A shotgun was recovered. The man is being held at the Washtenaw County Jail where charges could be forthcoming.
John Counts covers cops and courts for AnnArbor.com. He can be reached at johncounts@annarbor.com or you can follow him on Twitter.
Comments
Bananagunz
Wed, Jun 5, 2013 : 4:43 p.m.
I just don't know what this guy was thinking. Totally thoughtless crime. Criminals really seem to neglect the getaway portion of their crimes. What a way to throw the rest of your life away.
PineyWoodsGuy
Tue, Jun 4, 2013 : 2:58 a.m.
Great Work by Pittsfield PD! Bring a loaded shotgun to a cash register clerk and demand money and you have committed a felony punishable, at the maximum, by Life in Prison. Sebewaing is 150 miles from Pittsfield Twp. The "suspect" had a lot of time to premeditate his crime on his drive down from Sebewaing. If a first offender, I say give him 10 years on the minimum to life on the maximum. If a repeat offender, I recommend 20 years on the minimum to life on the maximum. I Implore you boys and girls to follow this case. Caught red-handed (probably also on video) and with a scatter gun, he deserves a Strong sentence. Again, follow this case because my view of our Circuit Court is that our elected judges do Not have the stomach for Appropriate Sentences for Criminals with Guns!!!
Nicholas Urfe
Mon, Jun 3, 2013 : 11:52 p.m.
I was robbed today at a BP gas station. I had to buy gas.
Bananagunz
Wed, Jun 5, 2013 : 4:41 p.m.
Who would vote this "down?" Nickolas, these are hilarious comments.
Nicholas Urfe
Tue, Jun 4, 2013 : 1:43 a.m.
Oh there was a weapon. A needle was brandished. It was pointing at "E".
WalkingJoe
Tue, Jun 4, 2013 : 12:33 a.m.
And they didn't have to brandish a weapon either.
stephen
Mon, Jun 3, 2013 : 11:02 p.m.
*BP* gas stations, not GP. Please fix typo in the article title.
Julie Baker
Mon, Jun 3, 2013 : 11:14 p.m.
Indeed, it's fixed