Woman claims her car broke down and steals from Ann Arbor man trying to help
A man trying to help a woman who claimed her car broke down Tuesday night became the victim of a theft in the 300 block of Packard Street, Ann Arbor police said.
At about 7 p.m., the 22-year-old man heard a knock on his apartment door and answered it to find a woman who told him her car broke down, police said.
She asked to use his cell phone to call OnStar and made two phone calls, but the man couldn't hear what she was saying, police said.
The woman then used the bathroom and asked for a pair of socks because she didn't have any, police said.
The man went to his bedroom and grabbed some socks for her, then returned to find his wallet had been moved. He noticed money was missing and confronted the woman about it, police said. She denied doing anything wrong, started crying and left the area on foot, police said.
She was white, 5 feet, 8 inches tall, 160 pounds and was wearing dark green cargo pants and a black knit cap. The woman had on a large bulky sweatshirt under her coat.
Anyone with information can call the police department's tip line at (734) 794-6939.
Lee Higgins covers crime and courts for AnnArbor.com. He can be reached by phone at (734) 623-2527 and e-mail at leehiggins@annarbor.com.
Comments
RJA
Thu, Jan 6, 2011 : 1:19 p.m.
@ DF Smith, I hope my friend in Belleville reads this, after answering the door at midnight on a Saturday night. They actually let this woman into their home. She claimed that her sister used to live there, and she was looking for her 3 lost nephews. (in the mean time a man was in the car waiting for her in a small red car) My friend has lived and owned this house for 40 plus years. I call this casing for a possible break-in. Lights were out and they were in bed. Never open your door to anyone you don't know. This was a real stupid act. (on my friends part) and I let her know it. Police officers are near her area always. Why not call them? They are very good hearted people, too good! This could have turned out much worse.
rrt911
Thu, Jan 6, 2011 : 8:54 a.m.
Rusty-that's funny....and sadly true
Deborah
Wed, Jan 5, 2011 : 3:53 p.m.
Real Headlines: Hooker pulls Snooker gotta admire the finesse. no gun involved and other than money theft no actual crime either. Slickness is her new nickname on the street.
breadman
Wed, Jan 5, 2011 : 3:39 p.m.
Duh!! onstar in all ready hooked in the car just push a button and talk.... Gosh she sure fooled him.....
rusty shackelford
Wed, Jan 5, 2011 : 1:56 p.m.
This location is less than two blocks from any number of public locations from which one can make a phone call. All the more reason to keep to the "crack" maxim, especially on 300 packard block of all places.
M.
Wed, Jan 5, 2011 : 1:53 p.m.
djm - I've never seen an obvious "working girl" in downtown Ann Arbor; perhaps you're thinking of Ypsilanti? I really hate when people take advantage of nice strangers after asking them for help. Similar to the old story of a stranger stopping at a disabled vehicle to help the owner, only to have the "owner" rob them. This has created an atmosphere where if someone really did need help, they would probably be ignored or rejected.
Killroy
Wed, Jan 5, 2011 : 1:45 p.m.
The whole point about OnStar is that you can be directly speak to an operator, so why would she need to make a phone call?
rusty shackelford
Wed, Jan 5, 2011 : 1:34 p.m.
Rule #1 I learned from many years in a big city: assume any stranger who knocks on your door at night is on crack. Respond accordingly.
djm12652
Wed, Jan 5, 2011 : 11:58 a.m.
Any idea on how old the suspected female is? The description fits a couple of the "working" girls downtown. And this is not surprising...
DFSmith
Wed, Jan 5, 2011 : 10:45 a.m.
The best way to handle such a situation is to not let people yu dont know into your home- volunteer to call 911 or a cab for them.