You are viewing this article in the AnnArbor.com archives. For the latest breaking news and updates in Ann Arbor and the surrounding area, see MLive.com/ann-arbor
Posted on Wed, Oct 19, 2011 : 6:20 p.m.

2 teens arrested after homeowner stops daytime break-in

By Paula Gardner

Two teenagers who tried to break into an Ypsilanti home on Wednesday morning are in police custody after the 62-year-old resident heard them and called police.

The incident started in the 1000 block of Grant on the city's west side when the homeowner heard something at his window at about 9 a.m.

He spotted two boys trying to break in, according to Detective Sgt. Troy Fulton of the Ypsilanti Police Department.

"He made himself known and they took off," Fulton said.

But the homeowner was able to call police quickly and watch the direction of their escape, Fulton said. And thanks to a nearby patrol car, one of the teens - a city resident - was apprehended within minutes.

That boy gave police information on the second youth, an Ypsilanti Township resident who was still at large. But not for long.

"(Officers) went to his house and waited for him to come home," Fulton said.

The boys - ages 14 and 15 - remained in custody at the Washtenaw County Juvenile Detention Facility on Tuesday afternoon, Fulton said. They'll be charged with attempted home invasion.

No weapons were involved in the incident, police said.

Comments

AdmiralMoose

Thu, Oct 20, 2011 : 3:33 p.m.

This is our 12th year in Normal Park; the only loss we've suffered is one bicycle. I'm not delusional when I say that bike theft happens everywhere. But Normal Park is being watched by young men with backpacks on bikes who look for easy targets like unlocked doors/windows and unlocked cars. They also seem to stake out houses and watch for you to leave. The NPNA Facebook page has been a great source of information because the victims and witnesses have posted their experiences soon afterward. I don't think annarbor.com can compete with that and still publish reliable journalism. Still, I'm pleased to see this write up. Even though we still get the "Duh--It's Ypsi, What Do You Expect?" responses, Normal Park residents can see that this is a new trend and we need to be more aware. Thanks for the coverage, annarbor.com.

JMA2Y

Thu, Oct 20, 2011 : 9:34 p.m.

I'd like to point out that A2 news report a heck of a lot more crime for A2 than they do Ypsi AND that crime in A2 has gotten worse-more guns, more knife attacks, and assaults even on campus. Ypsi isn't full of crime because it's Ypsi. Crime is growing due to other factors that homeowners cannot control. What we can work to control is securing our property and looking out for each other.

Davidian

Thu, Oct 20, 2011 : 2:09 a.m.

@JMA2Y: I know you are being sarcastic, so I will be direct: in the 6 years I lived in Ypsilanti, the house I lived in was burglarized twice, I stopped a home invasion (similar circumstances to this story), a psycho neighbor that stalked and groped my girlfriend and then threatened to kill me, teenagers tried to rob me, 2 bikes were stolen off my porch, hookers propositioned me on a weekly basis, an old woman was robbed at gunpoint in my yard, a disgruntled employee showed up to work with a gun, not to mention the frequent glares and bad attitudes that are par for the course when you do simple stuff like go to the grocery store or Big Boy. Or whatever. In my experience, Ypsilanti is not a great place to live if you want to live in security. Unfortunately, so many residents are desensitized to what is going on and they are deluded into thinking this rate of crime is normal. It is NOT normal. Mlive has every right to report criminal activity in Ypsilanti and in my estimation they are being fair. Thanks.

JMA2Y

Thu, Oct 20, 2011 : 9:30 p.m.

I wasn't being sarcastic. We need more crime coverage for Ypsi and it's own paper. I'm happy to see that they finally posted a story about the break-ins.

obviouscomment

Thu, Oct 20, 2011 : 3:34 p.m.

maybe the problem is that you were living in Normal Park

AdmiralMoose

Thu, Oct 20, 2011 : 3:14 p.m.

Your mileage may vary. Been around since the beginning of the Internet. Google is your friend.

Buck Wild

Thu, Oct 20, 2011 : 2:32 p.m.

YMMV? I'm afraid I'm not hip to texting lingo... I've lived in Normal Park for two years and never felt unsafe.

Terri

Thu, Oct 20, 2011 : 1:53 p.m.

Davidian, I doubt JMA2Y was joking. S/he's right about neighborhood Facebook pages being much better information sources. I'm sorry that was your experience of Ypsi. I've lived in two neighborhoods and I love the feel of the place and the people who live there. YMMV, I suppose.

Hmm

Thu, Oct 20, 2011 : 1:09 p.m.

I don't think JMA is being sarcastic

Stupid Hick

Thu, Oct 20, 2011 : 2:29 a.m.

That's terrible, which part of Ypsilanti do you live in?

JMA2Y

Thu, Oct 20, 2011 : 1:50 a.m.

Thank you for posting a story about break-ins in Ypsi. Your coverage of Ypsi crimes and break-ins has been lax. There have been so many in the last few days and weeks that the Facebook page for Normal Park has had more up to date information than the online paper. We need more crime coverage in Ypsi. We could use an Ypsi online paper.

RJA

Thu, Oct 20, 2011 : 1:38 a.m.

No school on Wednesday at about 9 a.m. ? 14 and 15 year olds? Congrats to the resident, and great job Ypsilanti Police. Officers went to the home and waited for him to return home. I luv it!