Ann Arbor police release surveillance photo of man who robbed Lake Trust Credit Union
Ann Arbor police released a surveillance photo of this morning's robbery of a credit union, showing a man concealed with a mask and hooded sweatshirt during the heist.
The city also issued an alert notifying residents and others that the robber is believed to have fled the area.
This man robbed the Lake Trust Credit Union today.
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 covering his face and latex gloves.
Police say he entered the Lake Trust Credit Union at 2222 Packard St. at about 9:10 a.m., ordered everyone to the floor at gunpoint and demanded to be let in the teller area. He grabbed money, stuffed it into a white trash bag and fled out of the back door, police said.
It's unclear whether the robbery is related to last Thursday's hold-up of a Bank of America branch at Packard and Eisenhower. In that case, 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. They remain at large, although the stolen cash was recovered.
The city has issued two CodeRed alerts about today's incident, asking residents to remain vigilant and call 911 to report any suspicious activity.
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
Gorc
Sun, Oct 31, 2010 : 11:59 a.m.
@miatamich even though your photo is distrubing you are absolutely correct about storing video data on a DVR. And that a great, great, great, majority of time video is needed more to recreate a customer transaction than a bank robbery.
debling
Sat, Oct 30, 2010 : 6:13 p.m.
How do we really know this guy is black? If I was a bank robber and white, I would paint myself black and try to fool the police. This guy could be brilliant.
Fat Bill
Fri, Oct 29, 2010 : 10:49 a.m.
Both locations are close to a neighborhood many would view as tough, at least in comparison to the rest of the area, that would be the Hikone project. Certainly close enough to make on foot through back yards, etc...
racerx
Fri, Oct 29, 2010 : 2:52 a.m.
Each of these two places are easy targets. Probably scouted out at Lake Trust. Does either have plexiglass? Not to give robbers any idea, but the cities Customer Service desk is also wide open where cash transactions are carried out each day. Yup. I bet those employees feel safe(r).
miatamich
Thu, Oct 28, 2010 : 9:50 p.m.
Some of you misguided braniacs make me laugh. To the person that thinks their driveway camera can take a better image from 400'...you'd have to have an extremely strong magnification to do so and the field of view would be so narrow, you wouldn't identify anyone around your house. Plus, try having it shoot at an angle through a 2" thick piece of bullet resistant glass. To the cellphone braniac...you don't ask the robber to stop while you take a snapshot. The camera has to record constant video, does your cell record 8 straight hours? To the 1080i maven...do you know how much storage you would need to store video from several cameras that run 8 hours a day? Banks have to archive video in case some customer comes back a month later and accuses a teller of doing something improper. The video has to be used to defend the bank.
indigonation
Thu, Oct 28, 2010 : 8:19 p.m.
The fact that I live in this area is scary, I thought this was a safe neighborhood now I am starting to have doubts I really hope it doesn't become like Detroit because I have to live here for a year I signed the lease.
Somewhat Concerned
Thu, Oct 28, 2010 : 7:41 p.m.
The robber faces very little downside. If he is caught by the police, he will be allowed to plea bargain into something like possession of an unregistered tandem bicycle, be sentenced to one year with possibility release for good behavior in six months, and will be released after 90 days because of overcrowding. Then he will be hired by the City of Detroit as a security guard under their new policy of not asking about even felony convictions or will become a counselor at an Ann Arbor youth training agency and be the subject of an adoring story in the Ann Arbor Observer. His only real risks are that he could be shot by a civilian at whom he points his gun or he could accidentally get locked in a bank vault with Mary Sue Coleman.
AlphaAlpha
Thu, Oct 28, 2010 : 7:41 p.m.
2-3 years ago the news reported the licensed-to-carry owner of Westgate Auto, whilst visiting his bank to make a deposit, did in fact stop a bank robbery in progress, by (now infamously) telling the perp, in a calm and confident voice "You're not going to rob a bank today".
Colleen Hood
Thu, Oct 28, 2010 : 5:09 p.m.
My two cents............not sure that a better image would allow anyone to identify the robber wearing a hood and face mask cap.??? I am not so sure they are Ann Arborites either because I think if they can afford to live in Ann Arbor and pay the taxes they wouldn't need to rob a bank. Just a thought:)
Gorc
Thu, Oct 28, 2010 : 3:56 p.m.
@Rusty - banks don't carry insurance for bank robberies, they are self insured for these types of losses. A typically amount lost in a bank robbery maybe $2500 per drawer. Joe Average - $2,500 is not worth the risk of any one getting hurt in a shoot out. It is not typical for a bank robber to actually show a weapon in a bank robbery...the last two robberies here in Ann Arbor were unusual. The pin heads who rob the banks want the robbery to go as smoothly and quickly as possible, just as much as the victims in the branch do. The pin head knows he has a limited amount of time to get away before the police start to converge on them. Anyone who wants to be hero is properly going to get someone hurt for a small amount of cash, it's not worth it. It appears there is protective glass at the teller line and this is why surveillance photos were blurry.
tommy_t
Thu, Oct 28, 2010 : 3:53 p.m.
I was a great shot with a rifle and scope - not bragging here - but when I started pistol shooting I could occasionally nick a 1 foot target 30 feet away. I was shocked I tell you! It took many, many, many hours to become half way proficient at pistol shooting. I don't want to be near or in any bank when Hopalong Cassidy appears at the door to take control.
chapmaja
Thu, Oct 28, 2010 : 3:38 p.m.
I would check you laws before carrying a gun into a bank anyway, even if you have a CCW. I know a lot of banks now have signs on them indicating that firearms are prohibitted except by law enforcement. This includes at least one Lake Trust Branch.
Bananagunz
Thu, Oct 28, 2010 : 3:27 p.m.
It has been my experience that pointing a firearm at someone's face is a very effective way of stopping them from further action. However, I wouldn't recommend shooting a criminal unless your life is in extreme danger. But definitely prepare yourself to immediately draw your weapon, control your breathing and think clearly. All citizens with a Concealed Pistol Licenses can carry in a bank. So do it. Why should a dangerous criminal run around causing chaos while you work hard just to get robbed and killed? Carry a weapon to protect yourself and your family; be careful with it; and remember that all your actions will be scrutinized by law enforcement afterwards. Murder, kidnapping, rape, robbery and all other heinous crimes happen every day; it's only a matter of time until it happens to you or someone you know. Fact of life. Will you be proficient with a weapon and prepared to engage? At least some of us are. If you disagree, that's fine; You just fell into the category of sheep that I protect.
djm12652
Thu, Oct 28, 2010 : 2:48 p.m.
@Thomas Jones, thank you. As a former FFL holder and CPL holder it is encouraging to read someone with a valid point being made. I will be applying again for a carry permit. What most of the anti-gun and anti-carrying people fail to realize is that the majority of crimes committed with weapons involved are by criminals using weapons obtained illegally with no training. When we were robbed, it was evident by the way the weapons were held, as well as in the picture above, that there is no acute knowledge of weaponry or accuracy in shooting. These thugs only know how to intimidate by flashing a gun and the meek sheeple cower and shake...not me, I will defend myself in any and every dangerous situation.
Morgan
Thu, Oct 28, 2010 : 2:42 p.m.
I don't get how two bank robbers can disappear and not get caught with today's technology..... hmmmmm.
Davidian
Thu, Oct 28, 2010 : 2:34 p.m.
For all you anti-CPL folks: Do you honestly believe that criminals would be so brazen if it were common for regular citizens to carry pistols? And do you really believe that Ann Arbor would turn into the Wild West? Not likely. I'd shoot that guy in the back without hesitation. It has nothing to do with being John Wayne. Who is to say that he won't shoot you (a witness) on the way out?? It's time for you to stop fearing inanimate objects.
Llahsram
Thu, Oct 28, 2010 : 2:26 p.m.
if any bank in a2 needs to have my cell phone camera to patrol their bank just let me know...
5c0++ H4d13y
Thu, Oct 28, 2010 : 2:26 p.m.
My cell phone can take a better picture.
djm12652
Thu, Oct 28, 2010 : 2:24 p.m.
now tpapp, homegrown thugs? really? Not in A2...just misunderstood hooligans maybe...all they need is talking to by a caring individual, [which I'm sure I don't qualify as] working on their thesis regarding societal ailments and why middle and upper middle class people deserve the crimes perpetrated against them.
Thomas Jones
Thu, Oct 28, 2010 : 2:24 p.m.
People please it is not a CCW but a MCPL Michigan Concealed Pistol Licence. I for one have a MCPL and I had to take a class and pass a range test. Then I had to pay money and apply with the county. After all this it took 45 day to get the License. I also get up some of my rights for example: I can be randomly pulled over in my car, I can not have ANYTHING to drink and Carry. I will tell you all that on the back of the license it tells you "licensee shall not carry a concealed pistol at a school, on school property, day care center, child placing ageny, sports arena, stadium, bar traven licensed to serve liquor, church, synagogue, mosque, temple, or other place of worship, entertainment facility seating more than 2500 people, hospital, dormitory, or classroom of a college or university or casino...." See Act 372 of 1927 Moreover, if anything I am more aware of what is going on around me and paying more attention to detail. I personally know 4 people with these CPL's and the number of people with CPL's will only increase....
tpapp
Thu, Oct 28, 2010 : 2:18 p.m.
@djm12652 Thugs don't come to Ann Arbor, they live in Ann Arbor - just like everywhere else.
ThaKillaBee
Thu, Oct 28, 2010 : 2:13 p.m.
@A22Ypsi - Nothing about a bank being exempt: http://www.michigan.gov/msp/0,1607,7-123-1591_3503_4654-10947--,00.html
djm12652
Thu, Oct 28, 2010 : 2:11 p.m.
@A22Ypsi...really? When did this become one of the regulations? I know, according to State Law, where one cannot carry as well as Federal Law restrictions. When did this Bank restriction happen?
A22Ypsi
Thu, Oct 28, 2010 : 2:07 p.m.
To the above commenters, I don't think a CCW allows you to carry a gun in a bank, so the debate is moot.
djm12652
Thu, Oct 28, 2010 : 2:06 p.m.
@rocco...it looks like a large caliber, could be a.45 but it's difficult with the photo to be sure, it is definitely a large framed semi-auto
djm12652
Thu, Oct 28, 2010 : 2:03 p.m.
@Ugottabekidding and Forever27, will your positions on personal protection change once these robberies escalate to victim[s] being shot? With the law of averages, this is bound to happen. And why is it that anti-gun people think that anyone with a permit to carry is 1] trigger happy 2] emotionally unbalanced 3] lacking any decent judgement skills 4] going to make a bad situation worse? How can protecting oneself be bad? And just because, so far, having a gun shoved in your face hasn't boiled over to being shot, doesn't mean it won't happen anytime soon. Thugs come to Ann Arbor because Ann Arbor is a city full of victims...easy prey. So wake up, be vigilant in protecting your own wellbeing and for crissake people stand up and decide you're not gonna be victims any longer!
cibachrome
Thu, Oct 28, 2010 : 2:02 p.m.
I am laughingly appalled by the poor quality of the video system that this bank has. My driveway cameras are HD amd can produce better still photos from 400' than what what we see here. It was only a few hundredd bucks. Are we missing the ones which show their eyes, whiskers, number of teeth and brand of jeans? Good grief. This person looks like thousands of folks in the county at any single moment in time. Shirley, you can do better....
Atticus F.
Thu, Oct 28, 2010 : 1:58 p.m.
I heard they found the money again.
rocco
Thu, Oct 28, 2010 : 1:55 p.m.
Can any of you gun totters identify the brand of handgun in the security photo. You might as well fight fire with fire.
Independent_Thinker
Thu, Oct 28, 2010 : 1:50 p.m.
Forever27 @joeaverage; are you saying that you would have shot the guy? Nothing like escalating a situation by introducing a higher probability of a violent end. It's great to monday morning qb. The next guy might just start shooting. I'd rather have a gun and not need one (or not find the need to use it) than be a helpless sheep sitting in a bank with no option but to do what I'm told or die. IT
ThaKillaBee
Thu, Oct 28, 2010 : 1:37 p.m.
Also, can we get some Hi-Def security cameras??? Come on, 1080i is cheap these days. It has to be less than whatever the crook got away with. We might have been able to distinguish some kind of facial mark on the exposed skin or something, instead of getting a rough idea on body type based on some grainy image.
ResidentAnvil
Thu, Oct 28, 2010 : 1:34 p.m.
We don't need guns. All we need is Bugs Bunny! "Would I turn on the gas and throw in a match, if my pal Bugsy was in there?"
ThaKillaBee
Thu, Oct 28, 2010 : 1:34 p.m.
"... Sometimes you should leave those things to the professionals." In this case, the professionals have shown a serious lack of ability. The criminal is more professional than they are. And during a hold-up, my life is already in danger. If some guy next to me reaches for his gun in an attempt to neutralize the situation, I'm standing right behind him (no pun intended). Granted, people will never see eye to eye on this so debating it is pointless, but... here we are.
rusty shackelford
Thu, Oct 28, 2010 : 1:31 p.m.
Folks, if you have a gun, don't try to stop a bank robbery. The dude just wants to take the money and run. It's no skin off the bank's nose, they have insurance. That's why they typically train employees to cooperate. You don't live in a Batman movie. You may think the robber is a very bad person, but shooting them would not only be illegal (you can't shoot someone just because they committed a crime), it would also be recklessly dangerous. Thankfully this is all just anonymous posturing on the Internet by people with nothing better to do, not a reflection of what the posters would actually do.
Dalex64
Thu, Oct 28, 2010 : 1:31 p.m.
The guy's finger is on the trigger guard. That says something about him.
Chooch
Thu, Oct 28, 2010 : 1:31 p.m.
Let's ask the Federal Reserve what's involved.
Klly76
Thu, Oct 28, 2010 : 1:31 p.m.
Even with a permit to carry a responsible and trained gun owner would not just start shooting in the event of a bank robbery. It is safer to comply with the robber UNLESS he has shown a total disregard for human life or worse yet, has already injured or shot someone. Even if I were in a bank that was being robbed and I myself was armed, I would not shoot unless I knew my actions would benefit and not cause more harm other people in the bank. It is a tricky situation and not everyone is capable of being a responsible gun owner. It's not as simple as getting a permit, you have to have a good sense of judgment. I am ALL FOR carrying and protecting yourself, it's the only way to ensure your own safety because as its been stated MANY times in the past week, "When seconds count, the police are only minutes away".
Forever27
Thu, Oct 28, 2010 : 1:17 p.m.
@thekillabee, don't mistake being cautious of arming the populace with fear of guns. Ugottabekidding summed it up perfectly. There are far more things involved with this stuff than someone wanting to be John Wayne.
ThaKillaBee
Thu, Oct 28, 2010 : 1:13 p.m.
@Forever27 - So we're supposed to sit and take it because we're all too afraid of guns? Something needs to happen. Without Batman, it's up to us, right? The police have shown how useful they are.
UgottaBkidding
Thu, Oct 28, 2010 : 1:10 p.m.
@Joe - You can't possibly control everything that happens around you 100%. Really...You want to apply for a CCW and then what?? Start shooting the place up and risk other people's lives that happen to be in the crossfire? Well...that's comforting!! On top of that, some thug holding the place up with an itchy finger is not something I would risk my life over and play Sheriff without training, without authority and without a clue of what kind of legal complications you will run into by shooting the place up...and what if you injured some innocent customers?? What then?? "Oops, sorry about that, I meant to hit the bad guy" is not gonna cut it. Sometimes you should leave those things to the professionals. Some people are watching too many action movies...
Forever27
Thu, Oct 28, 2010 : 1:02 p.m.
@joeaverage; are you saying that you would have shot the guy? Nothing like escalating a situation by introducing a higher probability of a violent end.
joe average
Thu, Oct 28, 2010 : 12:59 p.m.
My wife and adult daughters bank there. Time to apply for a Michigan Concealed Weapons Permit. Enough is enough.
Stephanie
Thu, Oct 28, 2010 : 12:28 p.m.
It does seem like a different pattern....but that's quite a coincidence. Bad area for bank robberies right now I guess.
Ellen
Thu, Oct 28, 2010 : 12:19 p.m.
That's a different gun than last week's robbery, correct? (wasn't it a shotgun last week?) Would that suggest that the two robberies are unrelated?