Police: More than a dozen vehicle break-ins reported in Ann Arbor
Ann Arbor police said that more than a dozen vehicles were broken into on the city's west side Sunday night and early Monday morning.
There also were a few reported during the day Monday on the south side, said Ann Arbor Sgt. Craig Flocken.
Police think a suspicious white conversion van spotted Sunday night could possibly be linked to the break-ins, Flocken said.
Hit hardest on the west side were vehicles on Arborview Boulevard south of Miller Avenue. Many cars were also broken into on Duncan Street in that same general area.
There were also vehicles broken into on Chaucer Drive on the city's southwest side, Flocken said
In many of the instances, the vehicle windows were broken.
"They were smashing out windows to get (inside)," Flocken said.
The suspect or suspects were stealing "anything of value" inside, he added.
Throughout Monday, there were a several more vehicle break-ins reported on the city's south side near South Industrial Highway and East Eisenhower Parkway.
No more information was released about the break-ins. Police continue to investigate.
An uptick in thefts from vehicles on the city's south side last week prompted Ann Arbor police to send out a crime alert last week.
John Counts covers cops and courts for AnnArbor.com. He can be reached at johncounts@annarbor.com or you can follow him on Twitter.
Comments
John Counts
Wed, Mar 20, 2013 : 4:12 p.m.
There were two stories yesterday (Tuesday) that are related to this. First off, police caught a suspect they believe could be responsible for some of the incidents: http://www.annarbor.com/news/crime/ann-arbor-police-arrest-2-suspects-recover-items-stolen-from-vehicle-break-ins/ And there were break-ins reported at rec center: http://annarbor.com/news/crime/vehicles-broken-into-at-washtenaw-county-recreation-center/
Jack
Tue, Mar 19, 2013 : 6:52 p.m.
There have been several people here who have mentioned seeing people casing cars. Yet not one of them mentioned calling the police? I really don't understand this. Calling the police is how they get caught!
Paul
Tue, Mar 19, 2013 : 7:07 p.m.
Sadly that is now how the police seem to operate. Just wait for the public to call them with a tip. In the old days before cell phones, the police were more visible and seem to noticed things more often. They would be out in the wee hours each morning checking out the parking lots and creeping down the side streets. Today I can drive to a local stores all week long and never see a mark police unit.
djacks24
Tue, Mar 19, 2013 : 1:38 p.m.
All is well in Ypsi township. Only time I have to worry is when I'm at the gym in Ann Arbor. I work in Ann Arbor also but my car is visible anytime when I'm here. Even at the gym I keep hearing Ann Arbor residents in the locker room talking about their houses doors being kicked in and cars being broken into. The gym itself even posted something about the car thefts warning members. I never leave anything of value sitting out. But I'm getting nervous because it might get like it is around the Wayne County courthouse, where they are bashing windows to get into the trunk because the crooks have gotten so bold as to where they have gone beyond opportunity thefts and know drivers are now hiding things in their trunks.
porchbear
Tue, Mar 19, 2013 : 12:06 p.m.
After living in Ann Arbor for 33 years, it really does seem to have a lot of crime for a city its size. In addition to my own vehicle's window being shot out, living down the street from a drug dealer, and a murder on my street, I've seen multiple neighbors' homes broken into and countless neighbors' and coworkers' cars broken into, gone to my bank to find it closed post-robbery, been unable to walk my dog due to the Ann Arbor rapist scare of a few summers ago... Since moving away, nothing seems to happen in my new community. I'm sure it will, but the difference is night and day.
Paul
Tue, Mar 19, 2013 : 7:02 p.m.
The town has many young people from out of town, either going to college or they know somebody who is. They know they will not be around forever, they own no property and when summer comes, they be back in their hometowns.
you can't handle the truth
Tue, Mar 19, 2013 : 1:05 p.m.
I left too for the same reasons. Isn't it nice to come home now after a few days and not be expecting to see your door kicked in?
jcj
Tue, Mar 19, 2013 : 12:42 p.m.
You forgot to mention your "new community" has 100 people and does not try to be the Portland, OR of the midwest.
you can't handle the truth
Tue, Mar 19, 2013 : 12:04 p.m.
Weak, liberal judges in this town give out 3 year probation sentences and nothing else for people who break into over 10x that many cars using a stolen car for the spree. Don't even bother looking for someone with only a dozen so far. The judge will probably put that person up in a 4 star hotel.
Brad
Tue, Mar 19, 2013 : 11:36 a.m.
If I'm not mistaken that is a "rash".
motorcycleminer
Tue, Mar 19, 2013 : 10:11 a.m.
Crime ? here ? in OZ....Ooooooh Nooooo Toto
Macabre Sunset
Tue, Mar 19, 2013 : 5 a.m.
Hard to blame the police when the judges around here don't take crime seriously. Let's just hope one of these criminals accidentally breaks into a judge's home or car some day soon. Though I suppose the brighter criminals out there have some sort of mark to protect their judges.
Paul
Tue, Mar 19, 2013 : 7:12 p.m.
Well gee, we might able to prevent more car accidents if EVERYBODY who gets convicted of the traffic offense lost their drivers licenses. Yep, break one traffic law, lose your license for a year, break one criminal law, get locked up for a year or more. What a happy town it would be, lol
Paul
Tue, Mar 19, 2013 : 6:58 p.m.
Huh, many times its folks with no criminal history that are up to no good. Police need to be around to make arrests, not just kickback and wait for a 911 call. They seem to have no problem planing DWI crackdowns.
Kara Marie
Tue, Mar 19, 2013 : 4:16 a.m.
2 at my work too this morning.
Jack
Tue, Mar 19, 2013 : 6:50 p.m.
And did you call the police?
CynicA2
Tue, Mar 19, 2013 : 3:59 a.m.
Sooner or later, even the dumbest crooks figure out they can get away with more stuff when there are fewer cops around... thanks to Kwame Hieftje and his clueless clones on council.
JBK
Tue, Mar 19, 2013 : 2:35 a.m.
Wasn't it just last week or the week before, that the Chief of Police for A2 was crying to the Council because he needed more money. He stated that his force has not become "reactive" in nature versus "proactive". I guess responding to a dozen or so car breakins would qualify as "reactive". lol :)
jcj
Tue, Mar 19, 2013 : 2:03 a.m.
Rather than blame the police, tell your neighbors what is happening. Not everyone reads this blog. Tell your neighbors to park in their drive whenever possible.
TinyArtist
Tue, Mar 19, 2013 : 1:37 p.m.
I tell them over and over, but they still prefer mine.
vivian
Tue, Mar 19, 2013 : 1:27 a.m.
When the thieves are caught and convicted, can we have a sensible judge--who will get them off the streets--decide their sentences? Please?
Wolf's Bane
Tue, Mar 19, 2013 : 1:26 a.m.
I noctied a wm, twenty-something, trying car doors up and down north fourth ave.
John Counts
Wed, Mar 20, 2013 : 4:08 p.m.
As always, anyone with information should call the Ann Arbor police anonymous tip line at 734-794-6939 or Crime Stoppers at 1-800-SPEAK UP (773-2587).
Jack
Tue, Mar 19, 2013 : 6:49 p.m.
@compound - Of course they want you to call! And wolf's bane - why didn't you?
thecompound
Tue, Mar 19, 2013 : 1:59 a.m.
So do the police want you to call if you see something like that, or do they suggest anything?
Wolf's Bane
Tue, Mar 19, 2013 : 1:24 a.m.
I see the police really have this one under control.
JS
Tue, Mar 19, 2013 : 1:20 a.m.
On my way into the gym today I saw a nice BMW that had it's window smashed out in the parking lot of the Meri Lou Murray center. Related?
JRW
Tue, Mar 19, 2013 : 12:19 a.m.
I saw a guy walking up and down between and around each car in the parking lot at the Commerce Bank at the corner of Washtenaw and the Huron Parkway today about 2 pm. Not a good sign. No doubt checking cars for anything of value that was visible. Cars parked there are not that visible due to some trees. Lock everything in your trunk.
A2comments
Tue, Mar 19, 2013 : 10:47 a.m.
Did you report it to the bank or police?
smokeblwr
Tue, Mar 19, 2013 : 12:06 a.m.
Conversion van?!?! What is this 1983?
Brad
Tue, Mar 19, 2013 : 11:34 a.m.
"If this van's a-rockin', don't come a-knockin'!"
James
Mon, Mar 18, 2013 : 11:29 p.m.
I live near Duncan. Go ahead, try it punks...
you can't handle the truth
Tue, Mar 19, 2013 : 12:10 p.m.
Been there, done that. Thought I was doing the right thing. AAPD was all over it. Then came the judge. Enough said.
Gorc
Tue, Mar 19, 2013 : 12:01 p.m.
Give them hell
deletedcomment
Tue, Mar 19, 2013 : 12:30 a.m.
I don't see where James made a Death Threat. Get off your high horse.
tom swift jr.
Tue, Mar 19, 2013 : 12:16 a.m.
What, you're going to kill someone to protect your GPS unit? Nice priorities.
a2cents
Tue, Mar 19, 2013 : 12:11 a.m.
tough talk... you would do more time than they will