Eastern Michigan University students report kidnapping, armed robbery

An Eastern Michigan University student reported he and another student were kidnapped and robbed by a gunman who jumped into their vehicle early today, Ypsilanti police said.

The 18-year-old said he and the other student were forced to drive to two ATMs in the city to withdraw $300 cash for the masked man, the release said.

The 18-year-old said the incident occurred at about 12:30 a.m. as they were driving in the area of Ballard and West Cross streets near the EMU campus. He said a man wearing a black ski mask and dark clothing jumped into their vehicle and produced a handgun, the release said.

The man reported the robber forced them to drive to two cash machines, where they withdrew $300, the release said. He said they dropped the robber off in the area of Washtenaw and Hewitt.

The student returned to campus and called police about an hour later. Officers contacted the other 18-year-old student, who had driven to the Downriver area, and he refused to come in for an interview and said he would speak to police later in the day, officers said.

No injuries were reported. A detailed description of the masked man was not available.

Police said they're trying to confirm the information, and the investigation is continuing.