Man assaults woman in Ann Arbor after she rejects his advances
A man threw a woman to the ground after she rebuffed his advances early this morning near the University of Michigan campus in Ann Arbor.
Ann Arbor police Lt. Renee Bush said the 21-year-old Ann Arbor woman was walking at 2:10 a.m. Wednesday to a friend’s home on East University Avenue when she was passed by a man who started hitting on her. Bush said the woman reported saying something sarcastic as she walked by, angering the man.
The man came back to the woman, physically picked her up and threw her to the ground, causing her to hit her head on the pavement, Bush said. The woman suffered a large bump on the back of her head, Bush said.
Bush said a few men were walking down South University Avenue near East University Avenue and saw the incident. The men ran over to the area and came to the woman’s aid, forcing the man away from her with one of the witnesses punching the man in the face, Bush said.
The man fled toward, Tappan Street, and the witnesses stayed with the victim until police arrived, Bush said.
The man is described as white, approximately 20 years old, between 5 feet 8 inches and 5 feet 10 inches tall, weighing about 220 pounds, with short, dark, crew cut hair, Bush said. He was last seen wearing a dark colored sweatshirt and blue jeans, Bush said.
The incident is still under investigation. Anyone with information is encouraged to call the Ann Arbor police anonymous tip line at 734-794-6939.
Kyle Feldscher covers cops and courts for AnnArbor.com. He can be reached at kylefeldscher@annarbor.com or you can follow him on Twitter.
Comments
RJA
Wed, Nov 23, 2011 : 7:18 p.m.
Thanks to the few men that saw what was happening and went to her aid. Hopefully this creep will be arrested soon. This might not have happened if she wasn't walking alone. Almost must walk in groups anytime of day or night it seems.
Tru2Blu76
Wed, Nov 23, 2011 : 5:44 p.m.
This is one suspect who "needs" to be arrested like the rest of us need air to breathe. Law enforcement: GET this guy. Thanks to those men who came to the woman's rescue. I don't mean to be brutal but I don't like to hear a woman say, "I can defend myself." NO ONE, in reality, can always defend themselves. Sometimes, circumstances put us in the position of needing help: if we're to survive or at least avoid serious injury. Challenge to AnnArbor.com: I realize you have reasons for having a policy against "blaming the victim" but that also blocks legitimate attempts to inform the public of the RIGHT ways to avoid victimization. You're obligated thereby: to provide expert advice on how to avoid or defend against such attacks as this one. There are key points in this incident which need to be highlighted in an educational way. There are SOURCES for such information - hoping like heck that AnnArbor.com will use them for the protection of this community.
Tony Dearing
Wed, Nov 23, 2011 : 5:50 p.m.
Just to clarify, we do allow people to post comments that speak generally about the things people can do to keep them selves safe and avoid being a victim. If a commenter says, "She shouldn't have been walking alone at 2 a.m.,'' that's blaming the victim, and we'd take that down. But more general statements about safety are allowed. See, for instance, the comments on this thread from justcurious and Davidian.
justcurious
Wed, Nov 23, 2011 : 5:36 p.m.
The description of this man sounds like the description of the man who threw the woman to the pavement early this morning.
justcurious
Wed, Nov 23, 2011 : 5:37 p.m.
Oops I mean to say the man who stole the woman's purse on Friday night.
CPS
Wed, Nov 23, 2011 : 5:29 p.m.
There seems to be a rash of incidents by people who have a serious ENTITLEMENT problem...this young man and this one <a href="http://www.annarbor.com/news/crime/ann-arbor-man-vandalizes-10-cars-because-he-felt-life-is-unfair/?utm_source=feedburner">http://www.annarbor.com/news/crime/ann-arbor-man-vandalizes-10-cars-because-he-felt-life-is-unfair/?utm_source=feedburner</a>
justcurious
Wed, Nov 23, 2011 : 5:19 p.m.
I AM NOT blaming the victim. But it is now unsafe for a woman to walk alone at 2:00am in Ann Arbor. Things have changed. We do not read about all of the things that happen in Ann Arbor on this site. Not enough room to report all of the incidents. We all need to understand that people are getting more desperate and many feel they have nothing to lose by acting on how they feel.
Chris 8 - YPSI PRIDE
Thu, Nov 24, 2011 : 1:49 p.m.
It's not only unsafe for women to walk around A2 but men as well. In both A2 and Ypsi I have been approached by people asking for "spare change" at all hours of the day and night. When I am alone I feel intimidated by this, and sometimes either get an angry reaction or look as if I am obligated to hand over money which I will not. I am not not a small framed guy either and still am afraid. At times I have no choice due to crazy work hours to be alone, but everyone that can, should be walking in at least pairs after dark. It's very unfortunate that we live in a world like this, but we do. It's gotten to the point that I will not enter a convience store or gas station if people are loitering in front. I feel like I have a large S on my forehead for sucker when it comes to this type of harassment. If you are one of those people that holds the door open as I walk in, the answer is no you are not getting my "spare change" on the way out because I am broke too. I don't ever have change to spare. To attack a woman walking down the street is the act of a coward. When and if this character is caught, his new and unwanted roommates may teach him a real quick lesson on what that woman felt like. There will be no one stepping in to help him either.
Davidian
Wed, Nov 23, 2011 : 5:12 p.m.
Terrible incident, hope the man is arrested, goes to prison, and I'm glad to see that some street justice was delivered! Unfortunately, street smarts were lacking. According to the FBI there is usually an active serial killer operating in every state of the Union. Most of them are men that harbor deep-seated rage and hatred against women. Ted Bundy specifically targeted women that turned down his advances. There is also a serial rapist active right now in the area. This could've turned out much, much worse--thank god it didn't. A woman should have the right to tell a cad to buzz off anytime she feels like it. But reality calls for a much different course of action. It's unfortunate, but we will always have predators that walk in our midst.
bunnyabbot
Wed, Nov 23, 2011 : 5:32 p.m.
as a woman I have been the subject of unwanted advances, cat calls and groping, having a guick quip is the first line of defense for many of us. Whether it is "not in this lifetime buddy" or "buzz off". The threat of a serial rapist or killer would make me likely to not be walking alone at night, however it wouldn't keep me from making a snarky stinging comment any other time I was out and about and some man did or said something inappropriet or rude. As for Ted Bundy, if he was rebuffed he deserved it, I shouldn't have to put up with comments because that man might end up killing someone else because he might become filled with rage against other women. Obviously I guage the crowd and circumstances of my "situation" but I am not going to be silenced about being victimized verbally.
Linda Peck
Wed, Nov 23, 2011 : 4:44 p.m.
Thankfully there were some good men nearby, but this could have been so much worse. Perhaps it would have been good if the man was detained, but job well done, and thank you!
Ignatz
Wed, Nov 23, 2011 : 4:05 p.m.
Terrible that this woman was assaulted and great that some guys came to her aid. Too bad just one puch was landed. I hope she will be well.
DBH
Wed, Nov 23, 2011 : 4:04 p.m.
Most regrettable. I continue to be amazed at the brutality that pervades society in general. I applaud the men who came to her defense. If she has not been medically evaluated, she should be. She might have sustained a concussion, or could be at risk for a significant intracranial bleed, the consequences of which are not always readily apparent and which can be dire (e.g., Natasha Richardson).
bunnyabbot
Wed, Nov 23, 2011 : 3:52 p.m.
proves two points, mental/physical brutality against women is alive and well and chivalry isn't quite dead, yet. I wish her a speedy recovery I applaude the guys that came to her aide
bunnyabbot
Wed, Nov 23, 2011 : 5:18 p.m.
after looking up aid and aide to see if I used the wrong one I am no more clear on it which is more correct to use. I wish to strike the word aide and replace it with "rescue".