Police: Suspect angry over PlayStation theft kicks homeless man in the head
A man who said he was incensed because someone stole his portable PlayStation device was arrested after Ann Arbor police said they saw him kick a homeless man in the head twice.
Ann Arbor police Lt. Renee Bush said the 20-year-old Ann Arbor man was throwing items at a power box at United Methodist Church, 120 S. State St. at 5:36 p.m. Monday. Officers responded to the area and found the man assaulting a 53-year-old homeless man, she said.
The man was laying on the ground while the 20-year-old kicked him in the head at least twice, Bush said. Officers grabbed the man and placed him under arrest before transporting him to the Washtenaw County Jail.
“The suspect said he was very upset someone stole his PlayStation portable gaming device and he wasn’t sure who stole it,” Bush said.
The homeless man suffered facial injuries and was taken to the University of Michigan Hospital.
It’s believed that the two men knew each other, Bush said. The injured man was not connected to the church and Bush did not know the full extent of his injuries.
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
TinyArtist
Wed, Aug 1, 2012 : 12:57 p.m.
The man was LYING on the ground. Time to review your English 101 notes.
Tru2Blu76
Wed, Aug 1, 2012 : 12:54 p.m.
Over at Playstationdotcom they say it's okay to kick a person in the head if (1) you think they stole your expensive adult toy or (2) you have a homeless friend and you want to take it out on someone (i.e., use the handy target principle) or (3) you're just working off the aggression you feel after your last session playing WWE. ;-) Oh, and just because some male above age 18 might have ID showing an Ann Arbor address: does not mean that male is either a man or an "Ann Arbor man." Our police officers should know that and use other descriptives. (Harumph.) Everyone knows that real Ann Arbor Men never kick homeless people, they just hand the homeless person money. :-) Perhaps we need a new city ordinance: forbidding head kicking - especially within sight of police officers? No, that wouldn't work, there're some people out there who just never get it.
Mohawk
Wed, Aug 1, 2012 : 12:28 p.m.
I live on South State street in that area and am CONSTANTLY bombarded by horrible homeless people asking for money and they are always trying to scam and con people walking down the street. This guy deserves a medal, not jail time.
Ron Granger
Wed, Aug 1, 2012 : 12:46 p.m.
How unfortunate that we must be reminded that there are homeless in our community. So you think someone who asks for money deserves to be assaulted? If someone is breaking the law, call the cops. I guess ignoring them is too difficult. There have always been homeless on the streets of Ann Arbor - probably longer than you. Pretty much any city except Mayberry is going to have homeless people. And even in Mayberry, sometimes.
EyeHeartA2
Wed, Aug 1, 2012 : 4:30 a.m.
Homeless = no TV or wall outlet. This crime makes no sense.
Unusual Suspect
Wed, Aug 1, 2012 : 1:19 p.m.
I believe the church lets them use the outlets outside the west door. I seem to recall one of them having his radio plugged in to one of them and listening to the Tiger game.
BernieP
Wed, Aug 1, 2012 : 12:25 p.m.
110VAC wall outlets abound in public spaces. See for example the various libraries or the 24x7 lobby of the Liberty Station post office. ( Of course this is soon to be the limited access Liberty Station post office due to security concerns of being open 24x7. )
Modern_Atheist
Wed, Aug 1, 2012 : 7:56 a.m.
it was a playstation portable "PSP" . You don't need an outlet or tv to use it. Nowhere in the article does it state that the homeless man did steal the object in question, but if he did his motive could have been to sell/pawn it.
Goofus
Wed, Aug 1, 2012 : 3:41 a.m.
Update a2dotcom article buried several days later as case is dropped: homeless man DID take the Ps3.
chucklk
Wed, Aug 1, 2012 : 3:18 a.m.
What was the man laying on the ground? Something is missing here.
Unusual Suspect
Wed, Aug 1, 2012 : 1:52 p.m.
Ah, I just picked up on it, chucklk. I'm a bit slow this morning.
Unusual Suspect
Wed, Aug 1, 2012 : 1:18 p.m.
They sleep on the ground at the church.
Shlobodon Dobodon
Wed, Aug 1, 2012 : 2:01 a.m.
Send in the clowns.
LXIX
Wed, Aug 1, 2012 : 12:01 a.m.
Of course the disturbed suspect told the truth... And most everyone believed it. What would the charge be if the suspect was after something of tangible value like money, drugs, sneakers, or smokes? Would the headline be any less sensational? The un-hidden society cost of a lacking public (mental) health care system and added burden on the local police and hospitals. Hope they both 'heal' quickly.
Modern_Atheist
Wed, Aug 1, 2012 : 7:52 a.m.
when did "smokes" or sneakers become more expensive than a PSP?
Ron Granger
Tue, Jul 31, 2012 : 11:51 p.m.
Is there a Playstation game that teaches the virtues of Anger Management? Quick - someone get some vulture capital and make one!
justcurious
Tue, Jul 31, 2012 : 11:33 p.m.
Is there any way a homeless man can press charges without having the money to buy a lawyer or an address? This kid needs to have some consequences for trying to bash someones brains in.
Matt Cooper
Wed, Aug 1, 2012 : 2:11 a.m.
Really? Have you heard of the county prosecutors office? They press charges, not victims attorneys.
nickcarraweigh
Tue, Jul 31, 2012 : 11:25 p.m.
Loyal annarbor.com readers deserve a follow up story. I, for one, would like to know how long it takes the kid to get his PlayStation back, and whether he's willing to humble himself enough to accept apologies from all concerned.
a2citizen
Tue, Jul 31, 2012 : 11:09 p.m.
Was it really necessary to mention that this man was from Ann Arbor?
Unusual Suspect
Wed, Aug 1, 2012 : 1:16 p.m.
It's about crime. They had to tell us he was an Ann Arbor person or one would have to assume Ypsilanti.
leezee
Wed, Aug 1, 2012 : 2:06 a.m.
It's called journalism.
Ricebrnr
Tue, Jul 31, 2012 : 10:50 p.m.
Eye for an eye...
Madeleine Borthwick
Wed, Aug 1, 2012 : 1:56 p.m.
eye for an eye makes the whole world blind(Ghandi).
Subroutine
Tue, Jul 31, 2012 : 10:23 p.m.
A 20-year-old Ann Arbor "man" would not act this way. A 20-year-old Ann Arbor boy would act just this way, when faced with the loss of their hand held video game device. Perhaps, these days, one is not necessarily a "man" simply by having been alive more than eighteen years. Just my opinion.
Madeleine Borthwick
Wed, Aug 1, 2012 : 1:56 p.m.
completely right!! I couldn't agree with you more.
amlive
Tue, Jul 31, 2012 : 10:18 p.m.
Pitiful. Please follow up with a mugshot when available.
smokeblwr
Tue, Jul 31, 2012 : 10:15 p.m.
Now this is one crime we CAN blame on video games.