Ann Arbor woman robbed at knifepoint outside her back door
A woman was robbed at knifepoint Sunday morning at the back door of her home in south Ann Arbor, police said.
At 11:30 a.m., the 57-year-old woman returned to her home near the intersection of Jay Lee Court and Champagne Drive, got out of her car and walked to the end of her driveway to pick up the newspaper, Ann Arbor police said.
She then walked to her house, and, as she was about to enter the back door, saw something out of the corner of her eye. She turned and saw a man holding a knife, police spokeswoman Lt. Renee Bush said. He demanded her purse, and she gave him some money from her wallet. He walked down the driveway and left the area, police said.
He was described as black, with a medium complexion. He was 5 feet, 6 inches tall, 18 to 20 years old with a thin build. He was clean-shaven. He was wearing a bright red T-shirt and black running pants.
Anyone with information can call the police department's tip line at (734) 794-6939.
Comments
Jose Murillo
Mon, Nov 14, 2011 : 8:49 p.m.
I live three houses away from the victim and I have to say that I feel bad for her. She is such a kind woman and she doesn't deserve this not that anybody does.
Dawn
Mon, Nov 14, 2011 : 8:47 p.m.
Welcome to the 'hood. i've lived across the street from this lady for 34 years. We enjoy her Lilacs in the spring and her flowers all summer. At one time it was safe to walk this neighborhood and talk to people you knew. Not anymore. Last winter I was driving through the back way home and got rocks and snowballs thrown at my car. Until criminals are treated as criminals this will continue. Our laws need to punish offenders not just slap them on the wrist and tell them "no". It is pretty sad since this neighborhood houses a school too . Our children are not safe, our homes are not safe, our towns and cities are not safe...but let one law abiding citizen stand up to them and blow them away...and that citizen is automatically a "bad person". We need to take back our lives and get rid of the criminal element or it will continue to get worse. The government isn't helping the citizens it's helping the criminals! I will be taking steps to change my home and it's environment.
caledonia
Mon, Nov 14, 2011 : 8:24 p.m.
The amount of trespassing in the Arbor Oaks neighborhood bothered me when I lived there. Hated going out in my backyard because there were always strangers there. My neighbors felt the same way, but we were afraid if we did anything we'd get a rock through a window, or worse.
jns131
Tue, Nov 15, 2011 : 3:45 p.m.
The neighbors that border Anderson Apt in Ypsi always have someone jumping the fence to get away from something. One neighbor planted a thorn bush by the back fence to keep the jumpers out. But still, people in the yard are a nuisance.
Mitch
Mon, Nov 14, 2011 : 5:06 p.m.
What about those armed robberies on Stadium Blvd between Pauline and Maple? I got my CPL and now openly carry everywhere. I am not waiting to be a victim. But I do use caution, UofM property is the 'safest' place for those that commit a crime.
Mitch
Mon, Nov 14, 2011 : 7:33 p.m.
There YPS township man was rob at gun point at the Taco Bell. Subway was hit. There was a reported gun shot at the Shell station @ Jackson and Maple. As well as the Check & Go down by Pauline. This was all this Spring, they hit top of the month. Also, you get your carry permit when you legally buy a hand gun. You need blessing by the gun board to conceal. According to the State Police and the AG opinion having both removes the "Gun Free" zones if you carry openly. BTW Michigan does not reconize Open carry in/on a motor vehicle. I have a CPL to drive.
redwingshero
Mon, Nov 14, 2011 : 7:06 p.m.
MItch, you are confusing me a little bit. You don't need a CPL to open carry in Michigan. You need a CPL for concealed carry, correct?
Hmm
Mon, Nov 14, 2011 : 5:46 p.m.
What armed robberies are you talking about? I hadn't heard of anything over there..please elaborate if you can
Vivienne Armentrout
Mon, Nov 14, 2011 : 4:44 p.m.
This is indeed frightening. It reminded me of some suggestions for security at home that Chief Jones offered to our neighborhood when we had a rash of break-ins a couple of years ago. <a href="http://localannarbor.wordpress.com/2009/09/23/crime-fear-and-the-neighborhood-ii/" rel='nofollow'>http://localannarbor.wordpress.com/2009/09/23/crime-fear-and-the-neighborhood-ii/</a> I hope that we don't really have to learn to live that way.
Berda Green
Mon, Nov 14, 2011 : 4:27 p.m.
thank god she was not hurt hope they catch him soon
smokeblwr
Mon, Nov 14, 2011 : 4:23 p.m.
I really doubt the perp "left the area".
Hmm
Mon, Nov 14, 2011 : 5:45 p.m.
From the location of the incident you are most likely right
RJA
Mon, Nov 14, 2011 : 3:41 p.m.
OMG, at 11:30 a.m. ? When is it safe to arive home and walk down the drive to get your mail or newspaper? I think now, rather than walk my driveway (on this country road) I will get mail before I turn in the drive, I have pepper spray on my key chain. Mail usually comes between 1-2 p.m. I might even start driving my car from the garage, down the medium length drive to get my mail. I sometimes do that in the rain or snow anyway. To think this thug got what he wanted then turned around and simply walked back down the drive makes me crazy. This lady must have been very scared and I feel for her.
jns131
Tue, Nov 15, 2011 : 3:42 p.m.
Time to keep a better eye out when getting into the house. I keep the back door locked, but still, dogs still want to go out and bark. This is very frightening to hear. Glad to hear she was ok.
Ricebrnr
Mon, Nov 14, 2011 : 3:27 p.m.
Anytime, anywhere folks. Stay alert, have a plan, be prepared. Take Gladys' example.
Ricebrnr
Mon, Nov 14, 2011 : 7:38 p.m.
It's all statistics until you are the statistic... Likelihood of your house burning....low, but you still get smoke detectors, don't you? Have fire extinguishers on every floor? Have home or renter's insurance? How about a carbon monoxide detector? Indeed things to think upon...
Think!
Mon, Nov 14, 2011 : 7:24 p.m.
Indeed. Think about it. Only about 120,000 people in Ann Arbor made their way into their homes yesterday without incident. Staggering statistically how unsafe it is out there...
Ricebrnr
Mon, Nov 14, 2011 : 5:12 p.m.
Roy, Join us on migunowners.org. There is a section devoted to trainers and classes. The people there (minus a few curmudgeons) are more than willing to accept newbs and provide advice.
Roy Munson
Mon, Nov 14, 2011 : 3:41 p.m.
Ricebrnr, Do you have any suggestions for CCW classes around here? It is becoming very obvious that having one for protection living Ann Arbor is a must. Gangsters are running wild around here, but somehow, "crime is down!"
gladys
Mon, Nov 14, 2011 : 3:26 p.m.
Stories like this are why I always have my pepper spray in my hand every time I leave my home.
jns131
Tue, Nov 15, 2011 : 3:40 p.m.
Bear spray works better. Better fire spray at a few feet more then regular stuff.