Ann Arbor police investigate possible links between two robberies almost exactly a week apart
Ann Arbor police say they're continuing to follow leads in this morning's robbery of a credit union, but it's too early to determine whether it could be linked to a bank robbery almost exactly a week ago.
Thus far, both robberies remain unsolved.
Police released this photo of the robbery today.
Det. Sgt. Pat Hughes said several employees were inside the Lake Trust Credit Union at 2222 Packard St. when a lone gunman entered just after 9 a.m. No customers were present, he said.
The robber, carrying a silver handgun, ordered the employees to the floor and directed a manager to let him into the teller area, police said. He escaped through the back door carrying a white garbage bag with cash inside.
The cash has not been recovered, Hughes said. Det. Lt. Mark St. Amour said police don't know whether a vehicle was used or whether anyone else may have been involved as a getaway driver or lookout.
Police said the robber was only in the bank a few minutes. Officers canvassed the neighborhood, but no nearby residents reported seeing the gunman flee, Hughes said.
Police released a surveillance photo of the robber, but his face was concealed with a mask and a gray hooded sweatshirt.
The robber was described as black, 6 feet tall, medium build, wearing a light gray zip-up hooded sweatshirt, black sweatpants, a black ski mask and latex gloves.
In last Thursday's hold-up of a Bank of America branch at Packard and Eisenhower, two men using a stolen car entered the bank, fired several shots in the direction of the tellers, and one jumped the counter and stole cash. The stolen cash was recovered.
CrimeStoppers is offering a $1,000 reward in last week's robbery.
Anyone with information on today's robbery is asked to call Det. Bill Stanford at 734-794-6930, ext. 49318, the tip line at 734-794-6939, or e-mail TIPS@a2gov.org.
Comments
jns131
Sat, Oct 30, 2010 : 8:32 a.m.
Strike 3 for AAPD? LOL How about strike 2. They still have yet to go after Chase Bank. Number 3 on the other side. The schools are telling me they are getting pretty good at lock downs. Soon they will be the pros. I do believe they are connected and I do believe that one of them is from the original robbery over 2 weeks ago. Cops need to get a clue. O thats right, this is Ann Arbor. PHd society UM know it alls. Time to get educated and think like a thief.
anti-thug
Fri, Oct 29, 2010 : 10:18 p.m.
wow! let be realistic here ann arbor has not a low crime rate not a hight crime but like in the middle only murders are a a low rate. just look up neighbored Scout website AND you'll see that some neighbors actually have crime lol Ann Arbor had, 66 robberys in 2008 197 Aggravated Assault 622 Burglary any higher were in trouble 146 Motor Vehicle Theft Ann Arbor is pretty safe from crime but there are so many safer places too.
Awakened
Fri, Oct 29, 2010 : 3:04 p.m.
@Ima. Party stores have excellent surveillance systems. Thefts mean money out of the owner's pocket. Banks do not have decent surveillance because it is not their money and the FDIC reimburses them for losses. Most banks also have a policy that they may only report the robbery through their security. This delays the report several minutes. They do that on purpose because the do not want the liability if the crook is trapped in the bank with hostages. Bank robbers get caught fairly quickly. Let us be thankful no one was hurt.
Ima
Fri, Oct 29, 2010 : 11:47 a.m.
With today's technology why do surveillance cameras take such crappy photos? You would think a bank would want to capture a clear image.
Atticus F.
Fri, Oct 29, 2010 : 9:25 a.m.
Somewhat Concerned, my point is that it's unsustainable to keep building prisons and jails to lock up the people who annoy you. I'm sorry. Nor should we be letting loose violent criminals in order to make room for alcoholics, panhandlers, and pot smokers.
Jay Allen
Fri, Oct 29, 2010 : 9 a.m.
Let's see, the size of the Police force is cut, population is higher, crime is higher, more technology for criminals and people CRY WAY more. People need to stop with the "First 48" mentality. I am with one of the other posters here, if ANY of you whiners can do better, please have at it.
Awakened
Fri, Oct 29, 2010 : 8:39 a.m.
@somewhatconcerned 1.Over the last decade the AAPD has been shrunk to half of it's previous size. 2.Mayor Heiftje proudly proclaims that the crime rate is down. Maybe the cops are "encouraged" to not get out and enforce minor crimes to keep that crime rate low. It does suprise me, though, that everyone expects stakeouts, active enforcement, and secure perimeters from a department putting only 6 patrol cars out each shift.
Somewhat Concerned
Fri, Oct 29, 2010 : 8:34 a.m.
I am saying they should do something to create a climate of safety for peaceful people and of unwelcome for lawbreakers. I am saying they should do something besides cruise around listening to iPods and talking on cell phones. We don't want Philadelphia style skull crackers who flex their muscles but I do want police who do something besides keep themselves warm in winter and cool in summer.
Atticus F.
Fri, Oct 29, 2010 : 7:44 a.m.
So what are you saying Somewhat Concerned? That the police should be devoting their resources to chasing down homeless people, and drunk college kids, as apposed to bank robbers?
Somewhat Concerned
Fri, Oct 29, 2010 : 7:37 a.m.
Why does anyone expect the AAPD to prevent any sort of crime, much less a quick strike robbery? These are the guys who cruise around all day in their cars, driving past obviously underage drunks playing beer pong in front yards and wandering into traffic. They drive by panhandlers following you down the street yelling at you for money. Other than to give out an occasional ticket for running a stop sign, I'm not sure why they're here. It's not to create a climate of safety. It's not to make trouble-makers think Ann Arbor is the wrong place to make trouble. The cops ignore open crime every day. Why would you expect them to be much of a deterrent to bank robberies?
SpartyInExile
Fri, Oct 29, 2010 : 7:09 a.m.
Perhaps it is time for the University to purchase a helicopter for the AA Police Department. 99% of its use would be directly related to football Saturdays.
ummsw
Fri, Oct 29, 2010 : 6:59 a.m.
Here,Here "Brad"... We all watch too much "Law and Order"..As someone who is a survivor of a violent crime..I have nothing but GREAT things to say about the AAPD/Prosecuting Attorney's Office...They work VERY hard and it does not happen overnight. Living in the neighborhood that these crimes occurred, I know how unsettling this can be. However as a resident of Ann Arbor,we have a responsibility to take precautions and be vigilant..If something seems off...it probably is..Report it..We need to work together.
Brad
Fri, Oct 29, 2010 : 5:58 a.m.
You people have been watching too much TV and think every crime should get solved in an hour or less. Get real. It says "investigate possible links". If it's so easy why haven't any of you found them and turned them in yet? There's a reward out on the first robbery. And I will again state that the police were in the area very quickly and in large numbers. I was there. If the perp(s) had still been in the area they would have found them.
greymom
Fri, Oct 29, 2010 : 5:55 a.m.
Folks stop pointing fingers- if you think you can be a better cop, I encourage you to do just so. All I can say is Thank God no one was hurt!!!! Times are so difficult for folks today that sad to say this is what takes place, or gang and drug related. What are any of you to help people in need?! I just took a two dollar an hour pay cut so I know what it is like to struggle- the State is the one to let us all down, not the police, it has only made their jobs more difficult! Peace to all- be alert to those around you and be safe!
lordhelmet
Fri, Oct 29, 2010 : 4:47 a.m.
Does the phrase "stake out" mean anything to the AAPD?
racerx
Fri, Oct 29, 2010 : 2:40 a.m.
Related? The prior robbery at BOFA, neither of those guys appeared to be 6ft tall. And the police are investigating possible links? Based on what? That they were the same race? Certainly not based on height! Oh, but this is the AAPD. Making our community safe by connecting crimes to randon and general patterns. Well, lets see, if the sun is shinning on this day, then it's possible that these crimes are related because both occured while the sun was out!
frank lucas
Thu, Oct 28, 2010 : 11:50 p.m.
yea the cops think i did that dum shit thats fucked up
frank lucas
Thu, Oct 28, 2010 : 11:50 p.m.
yea the cops think i did that dum shit thats fucked up
Joe Hood
Thu, Oct 28, 2010 : 10:17 p.m.
Smash and grabs are hard crimes to deal with. Why don't these banks have perimeter cameras looking outside the building?
Ricebrnr
Thu, Oct 28, 2010 : 8:09 p.m.
kablamo, shhhhh!! You're throwing the curve off dude!
Kablamo
Thu, Oct 28, 2010 : 7:33 p.m.
Well, strike 3 for AA police. Let's get on the stick and show these low lifes that we are not going to tolerate this crap in AA. They put up a perimeter and still can't catch this joker?!! Come on...This is the third robbery in that area within the past year. Enough is enough.
Ricebrnr
Thu, Oct 28, 2010 : 5:58 p.m.
Meh they'll have a chance to solve the next one. They"l be able to keep their record of 1 in 3 crimes solved. Silver lining!
Urban Sombrero
Thu, Oct 28, 2010 : 5:45 p.m.
I wonder if it's some kind of organized gang pulling these off. They just seem so similar. Either that or the latest is a copycat type thing. OR....it could be the A2 police pulling it off to get more funding and more officers hired. The "robbers" are just actors. Think about it.... OK, maybe not.