Man pulls knife, attempts to rob two women in Ann Arbor
A man pulled a knife as he attempted to rob two women early this morning near the intersection of Miller Avenue and North Ashley Street, Ann Arbor police said.
The women, ages 20 and 29, who live in Ann Arbor, were walking home from dinner downtown about 12:10 a.m., police said, when a man approached and told them to give him their change.
When they refused, he pulled out a knife with a blade that was 8 to 10 inches long, police spokeswoman Lt. Renee Bush said. The women ran west on Miller as the 29-year-old victim called 911, Bush said.
No one was injured. So far, no arrests have been made. Detectives are investigating. Bush said she's not aware of any recent similar incidents in the area, which lies just to the northwest of downtown.
The man was described as white, 5 feet, 6 inches tall, thin and 48 to 50 years of age. He was clean-shaven and had short, straight brown hair.
Anyone with information can call the police department's tip line at (734) 794-6939.
View Attempted robbery in a larger map
Lee Higgins covers crime and courts for AnnArbor.com. He can be reached by phone at (734) 623-2527 and email at leehiggins@annarbor.com.
Comments
Ming Bucibei
Fri, Oct 14, 2011 : 11:50 p.m.
When seconds count the police are many minutes away Read the book "Dial 911 And Die" Ming Bucibei
Urban Sombrero
Fri, Oct 14, 2011 : 9:44 p.m.
I hope this doesn't sound like a stupid question, or overt fear mongering, but where does one get pepper spray around here?
Ricebrnr
Sat, Oct 15, 2011 : 11:33 p.m.
No prob. Fyi MC Sports has Sabre Red in 2 versions. a $6 version and a $9 Breast Cancer Pink one. I have seen at Top Gun in Taylor another that comes with an inert practice canister. Be safe
Urban Sombrero
Sat, Oct 15, 2011 : 3:27 a.m.
@ ricebrnr...thank you for your honest, non-judgmental answer. I really appreciate it. :)
Ricebrnr
Fri, Oct 14, 2011 : 10:22 p.m.
Meijer, most any hardware store, Kim's Martial Arts downtown, Dunhams, WALMART. Just about anywgere
Macabre Sunset
Fri, Oct 14, 2011 : 7:19 p.m.
Both of them are alive and unhurt. So they did the right thing. Let's leave the confronting the panhandler with the eight-inch knife job to the professional - at least as soon he's done ensuring that cars stop at the nearest crosswalk.
Mick52
Fri, Oct 14, 2011 : 3:11 p.m.
Lee, it would be good idea I think with stories like this to get the response time , which is the time it takes from the time the police get the call to the time of arrival, from Lt. Bush. In this time of police staffing cut backs it might be of interest to delve into, for example, why a response time was somewhat long (where did the officers respond from?) or that even with lesser staffing the response time was acceptable. Also, with an acceptable response time, it show how an offender can evade the police in cases like this. I think it would be of interest to readers to know this information, especially if all officers on patrol were on calls. That perhaps is an indicator of how lower staffing can be an issue or not. This is the type of offense where a quick response can be critical. To show whether or not lowered staffing is or isn't an issue could be judged by how quickly the police can now respond. Maybe response time is affected, maybe not. We would not expect a 50ish offender to be fleet of foot.
David Paris
Fri, Oct 14, 2011 : 2:20 p.m.
"It's the economy, stupid!" Note to moderators: The above quote is not directed to anyone, it's only a reminder of our current state of affairs.
Daveguy
Fri, Oct 14, 2011 : 1:11 p.m.
They shoulda had tasers.
Mick52
Sat, Oct 15, 2011 : 9:09 p.m.
Actually I am not at all stuck in anything other than what you have to do when one considers self defense. If you are considering a self defense weapon you have to be aware of all the limitations and proper use.
Daveguy
Fri, Oct 14, 2011 : 3:52 p.m.
It was a pun on the first post and a previous article regarding legalizing/allowing of the public to own stun guns. Apart from that, you're getting stuck in hypothetical situations, it's a dangerous loop. <a href="http://xkcd.com/248/" rel='nofollow'>http://xkcd.com/248/</a> I'll steal the silly comment from the stun gun article - Hayrides can be dangerous and criminals can use them too. A criminal could very easily hijack a hay baler and run the public over.
Mick52
Fri, Oct 14, 2011 : 3 p.m.
Really? And have to get that close? Or take a chance of missing with the darts? Real good idea. I am not a big fan of tasers. The reason is I don't want them in the hands of criminals. Frankly at my front door I would rather face a person with a pistol than a taser. I know that a taser will not kill me, but by the time I recover, I may be tied up. Tasers used by criminals will make their crimes a lot easier. Just incapacitate your victim and take what you want before they recover. I think tasers belong with police only. There's too much abuse potential, particularly with home invasions, armed robberies, etc. For example, if a robber is targeting a store, he can instantly tase the clerk and get in the cash register. With a pistol you have to tell them and meanwhile the clerk can get a good description of the criminal. Perfect for jewelry store robberies too.
Marilyn Wilkie
Fri, Oct 14, 2011 : 1:09 p.m.
I've lived in and around Ann Arbor all of my life but now I would definitely be carrying pepper spray in one hand while I walked anywhere in Ann Arbor. I also would make sure to have someone else with me, never alone. The other thing that everyone should know by now is keep your head on a swivel, scanning the surroundings all the time. Don't be texting, talking on your cell or distracting yourself from being aware of what's going on around you. Does this sound paranoid? Hopefully not in today's Ann Arbor. Things are happening in broad daylight too now.
Grimey
Mon, Oct 17, 2011 : 4:11 p.m.
"Things" have always happened in broad daylight, the only change is that these crimes are making it to the press. Oddly enough, it's the police that provide the information to the paper, and again, oddly enough these crimes make the press more and more often when the police budget is cut. Jus sayin'
LA
Sat, Oct 15, 2011 : 4:22 p.m.
I lived in that neighborhood 30 yrs ago. It was a lot worse then.
Mick52
Fri, Oct 14, 2011 : 2:50 p.m.
Good for you to know that you have to have it in your hand. Once confronted it is often too late to get it from a pocket or a purse. Be aware though it is a very minimal defense. If it is windy or rainy, it may not work at all, and it is not a weapon that stops an offender. It's an irritant and may only give you a very slight advantage. You might want to buy two, and have someone spray you outdoors to get an idea of how it works.
Ricebrnr
Fri, Oct 14, 2011 : 1 p.m.
and for the record, regardless if the ladies had a weapon (mace, knife, pen or gun) good on them. At those distances against a knife, opening the distance between you and the blade was the smart move. If the attacker was disabled or writhing in agony from your defense would've been a secondary consideration (and a bonus).
Ricebrnr
Fri, Oct 14, 2011 : 12:56 p.m.
sigh... smokeblwr, revisit similar articles and see just who brings up the gun comments first. Wanna make a bet it's as often anti gunners like you if not more? And just what is the problem with an attacker running away in fear of their life rather than an intended victim? Once again a perfect quote for your ilk: "Gun control: The theory that a woman found dead in an alley, raped and strangled with her panty hose, is somehow morally superior to a woman explaining to police how her attacker got that fatal bullet wound." — L. Neil Smith I suppose I should thank you for opening the door so those with open minds might learn a thing or two.
Ricebrnr
Fri, Oct 14, 2011 : 2:49 p.m.
Learned it from the Brady's and other anti gunners since facts don't seem to work...
a2cents
Fri, Oct 14, 2011 : 2:15 p.m.
simplistic and emotional, source must be nra
smokeblwr
Fri, Oct 14, 2011 : 12:21 p.m.
If I'm thinking of the right area, I believe this street is pretty desolate during the evening hours. Yikes! Cue the "they shoulda had guns" comments now.
Bob Bethune
Fri, Oct 14, 2011 : 1:32 p.m.
Some people, Ann Arbor women in particular, are doing more than commenting. Chuck and Renee Tellas at Tri-County Sportsman's League tell me that more and more of their students in their personal protection and concealed-carry classes are women from Ann Arbor. There's a reason for that.