Sketch released of man being sought in assault of University of Michigan student Thursday
University of Michigan police released a sketch tonight of a man they say assaulted a female student this morning in the 500 block of Thompson Street in Ann Arbor.
About 1:50 a.m., the man grabbed the 21-year-old woman's arm while she was walking south on a sidewalk, but she struggled with him, broke free and left the area, university police said. She was not injured.
Both university police and Ann Arbor police said the attack near West Quad does not appear to be related to 6 other attacks in Ann Arbor, including 2 rapes, between July 15 and July 26. That's because the description of the suspect is different, authorities said.
This morning's attacker was described as black, in his late 50s, 5 feet 7 inches to 5 feet 8 inches tall, with a thin build. He was clean shaven and was bald or had very short hair, police said. The man was wearing a green shirt, dark-colored pants and a white or light-colored baseball cap.
Ann Arbor police have previously released two sketches as they investigate the 6 other attacks.
One sketch was of a man police said grabbed a 19-year-old Ypsilanti woman in the 400 block of North Division Street about 11:11 p.m. July 15 while she was on her cell phone. He attempted to drag her into a secluded area, but she got away. The attacker had olive skin, was 20 to 30 years of age, 5 feet, 6 inches to 5 feet, 7 inches tall, and 175 to 200 pounds. He was clean shaven and had short, straight black hair.
The other sketch was of a man investigators said pulled an 18-year-old Ann Arbor woman into an alley in the 700 block of South State Street about 12:45 a.m. July 18 and raped her. He was described as white, 20 years of age, between 5 feet, 6 inches and 5 feet, 10 inches tall, with brown hair and brown eyes. He was wearing a green T-shirt and khaki cargo pants.
Anyone with information on today's attack can call university police at (734) 763-1131 or the department's anonymous tip line at (800) 863-1355. Anyone with information on the other attacks can call the Ann Arbor Police Department's confidential tip line at (734) 794-6939 or Crime Stoppers 1 (800) SPEAK UP.
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
Rick
Fri, Aug 19, 2011 : 5:14 p.m.
Ann Arbor is an open minded community. Unfortunately criminal elements will take advantage of that, and use the very elements that make Ann Arbor special against itself. You can't win a struggle against an opponent that doesn't fight fair by being Laissez- Faire and "better then that". The community is so sensitive of protecting peoples rights and providing social services that they don"t realize that inevitably some of the social programs attract a negative element. Then in addition to that lets put the homeless shelter right down town so we can make it easier for the transients to pan handle and cause problems right where people congregate on Main St. Genius!!
julieswhimsies
Sat, Aug 20, 2011 : 1:53 a.m.
And how do you know that this "negative element" is a homeless transient or pan-handler. This attacker could be a U of M student. Perpetrators of sexual assault come from all walks of life. Believe it.
Lee Higgins
Fri, Aug 19, 2011 : 1:36 p.m.
After learning of Thursday's assault, a woman reported to Ann Arbor police she was robbed Monday. Police said it's unclear whether the incidents are related. <a href="http://www.annarbor.com/news/crime/woman-comes-forward-to-report-robbery-after-learning-university-of-michigan-student-was-assaulted/">http://www.annarbor.com/news/crime/woman-comes-forward-to-report-robbery-after-learning-university-of-michigan-student-was-assaulted/</a>
Wolf's Bane
Fri, Aug 19, 2011 : 11:58 a.m.
To answer Ricebrnr's question: Gee I wonder what makes criminals and deviants think that Ann Arbor and the area around U of M makes for good hunting? Answer: Ann Arbor is town consisting of a higher than usual percentage of transients, which includes students, non-students, homeless, and other vagabonds. What draws them here, to Ann Arbor, are many of the same reasons why a lot of us are here. Namely, good access to top educational facilities, civic pride, and wonderful access to cultural and social services. So, now and again we get a few bad apples in the bunch, what else is new? What is new, however, is this pervasive alarmist attitude by so many folks that post here on A2.com, yet refuse to act more responsible in avoiding becoming a target themselves. Time to straighten out and fly right people! Get on with life.
julieswhimsies
Sat, Aug 20, 2011 : 1:47 a.m.
Uh...WHAT...Wookie?! You minimize the trauma that a woman who has been raped or sexually assaulted experiences. This trauma lasts for a lifetime! Some women never recover or learn to trust again. ALARMIST ATTITUDE?! This is a 911 situation in Ann Arbor. It is imperative to get the word out, and continue to discuss this issue. You blame the VICTIMS?! Shame on you. Young women (and young men) in their late teens and early twenties rarely consider risk when walking down the street. Kids that age do not even consider the fact that a criminal would harm them. At that age...kids don't consider that their daily activities could lead to assault...or even death. We need to CONTINUE this dialogue! Making young people aware of imminent danger, and the importance of being prepared for it is HUGELY important. This is not about irresponsible young women. This is about a predator(s) who are stalking our community. From the sketches and clothing, this criminal looks like any other UofM student. T-shirt and cargoes. When a woman is traumatized in this way, it is very difficult to accurately, and succinctly describe her attacker. This should be a wake up call for all parents, educators, and young women to take proper precautions, etc. These young survivors have forever lost their innocence. I know. I have been there.
Fatkitty
Fri, Aug 19, 2011 : 1:34 p.m.
Oh heck, why not "gild the lily" - transients, homeless and vagabonds: WELCOME TO ANN ARBOR! Where you'll be pleased to find "good access to top educational facilities, civic pride, and wonderful access to cultural and social services." ! And lest we not forget, CRIMINALS! Where you'll be sure to find a plethora of young people, some in deep, deep denial (and blinded by the glare from their smartphone) about the reality that surrounds them.
Cash
Fri, Aug 19, 2011 : 11:10 a.m.
Again, this morning, UM Police spokesperson Diane Brown says they are "following a strong lead in the case".
Cash
Fri, Aug 19, 2011 : 10:29 a.m.
Last night on 6PM channel 4 news, they had "breaking news" announcing a report from A2 Police that said they had a strong lead in this particular case (but not the others). Was that not an accurate report?
rampage
Fri, Aug 19, 2011 : 6:12 a.m.
At least the sketch of this suspect is one, consistent face and not several faces haphazardly slapped together.
Ricebrnr
Fri, Aug 19, 2011 : 10:49 a.m.
That i not hapazard. That is a deliberate technique.
Tru2Blu76
Fri, Aug 19, 2011 : 4:05 a.m.
Ricbrnr: Do you suppose the criminals perceive the U of M campus area to be a grazing pasture for (disarmed by law) Sheeple? Nothing like a herd of helpless victims corralled neatly in one small area to brighten the eyes of violent criminals, is there? Let's give a big hand to Gov. $nyder and his money-loving band of characters in the Republican dominated legislature. Gotta cut that revenue, gotta hand out those tax breaks for the ridiculously wealthy! Can't be bothered with funding those "socialist" police & fire people or those darned (always informative) teachers. And never, ever should we finish the job of reforming concealed carry laws. Gotta keep those honest licensees from our school grounds (where they might just stop a Columbine style slaughter). Yeah, that's the ticket!
Smart Logic
Fri, Aug 19, 2011 : 7:35 p.m.
Wow. Anti-Republican jabs coupled with a desire to reform concealed carry laws. I'm not really sure what to think of this, though do want to respond that Snyder is hardly the issue. What did he have to do with Ann Arbor's crazy mayor cutting the police force? Half of your post was good, while the other half was rubbish.
kraiford12
Fri, Aug 19, 2011 : 5:26 p.m.
Great points! I frequently refer to UofM property/schools/'anywhere else that does not allow law-abiding concealed carrying citizens' as "Criminal Empowerment Zones". Guns are not the full-proof solution. There is no guarantee with or without a firearm/weapon. What I don't agree with is the "deterrent" for criminals attacking the public is primarily jail/prison. There should be the fear of a possible immediate consequence in the form of a potentially armed "victim". The number one rated comment in this Article: "<a href="http://annarbor.com/news/crime/man-assaulted-by-group-of-men-this-morning-on-east-university-avenue/"">http://annarbor.com/news/crime/man-assaulted-by-group-of-men-this-morning-on-east-university-avenue/&quot;</a> brings another valid point. Is shooting someone is a better option than running and how running is often the best option. Victims should not HAVE to retreat! If they choose to (and I'm not saying I would fight 100% of the time either) that's entirely up to them. In fact that very point is agreed upon by legislators who've written into our law there is no requirement in self defense to retreat. Take an attacker: -Throw in a bit of "street smarts" -Unleash him in an area that is a weapon free zone (law abiding victims are handicapped in protecting themselves or others) -There is no immediate consequence/fear of bodily harm for the attacker -The victim has everything to fear -Victims consistently running instead of meeting force with force -No consequences for attackers And what you have there is incentive for attackers to continue their shenanigans.
CPS
Fri, Aug 19, 2011 : 2:56 a.m.
@obviouscomment I have not compared the sketches, but I would hope that witnesses can tell the difference between a man in his late 50s and one in his 20s. @ricebrnr: You are right--a community with numerous unsolved crimes indicates to criminals and deviants that the likelihood of being caught is less than in those communities where crimes are solved and solved quickly.
Ricebrnr
Fri, Aug 19, 2011 : 1:26 a.m.
Gee I wonder what makes criminals and deviants think that Ann Arbor and the area around U of M makes for good hunting?
Mick52
Fri, Aug 19, 2011 : 3:32 p.m.
The same reason is happens in every city. High density population. This happens in every city in the US.