Posted on Sun, Apr 18, 2010 : 9:40 a.m.
Man arrested in armed robbery of taxi cab driver in Ann Arbor
By Amalie Nash
A 20-year-old man was arrested early today after police say he attempted to rob a taxicab driver at gunpoint in Ann Arbor.
The Blue Cab driver told police he picked up a man to take him to an address on Packard Street, Sgt. Mike Lance said.
As they got near Packard and Mary streets at about 12:20 a.m., the man got out and pulled out a semi-automatic handgun, Lance said. He demanded the driver's money, but the driver didn't give him anything, and he ran off, Lance said.
University of Michigan police officers spotted a man matching the description in the 500 block of Thompson Street at 12:25 a.m. and arrested him, the campus crime log said.
The suspected robber is being held at the Washtenaw County Jail pending charges, Lance said.
Comments
Victoria
Wed, Sep 22, 2010 : 5:16 p.m.
THINK LIKE A BURGLAR Professional or amateur burglars will break into your home, if there is an opportunity. Be prepared and fight back. Getting robbed is an awful feeling and makes you think that you could have done more to prevent it. By definition, the crime of burglary is a non-confrontational property crime that occurs when we are not at home. Living in a house takes more places and things to think about when talking security. There are lots of break-in points to consider. If you have had a bad experience already with a crook learn from it don't just think bad luck won't strike twice! if you want to learn more visit site, use Ghostprint http://secure-your-valuables.com/
Ricebrnr
Tue, Apr 20, 2010 : 2:36 p.m.
"maybe only cabbies get guns." Maybe only professional drivers are allowed to own cars. Maybe only professional journalists are allowed "free" speech. Maybe only professional baseball players are allowed to own bats. Maybe only professional chefs are allowed to own knives. etc, etc, etc... Make up your own "maybe only X can get Y" and let me know how ridiculous it sounds to you.
Anonymous Due to Bigotry
Mon, Apr 19, 2010 : 9:21 p.m.
Regarding the "If the robber already has his gun drawn then you won't be able to shoot him without shooting you right?" It might work like that in the movies and on TV, but it doesn't seem to work out like that in reality. I don't know the stats, but I've seen many many anecdotes of victims pulling out a gun and shooting an armed robber while the robber is pointing a gun at them. I'm not necessarily recommending that you try that, but the victim being shot first doesn't seem nearly as certain as it is on TV. My guess is that robbers in this situation are often just not expecting to meet armed resistance and aren't really thinking that they need to be prepared to fire. I don't think anyone has been able to clearly show the externalities of CPL permits/carrying, but they have seen the impact of LoJack being installed on 1% of cars.
Wolverine3660
Mon, Apr 19, 2010 : 2:10 p.m.
ricebrnr - thanks for the clarification
Ricebrnr
Mon, Apr 19, 2010 : 1:27 p.m.
@ Wolverine, In some states your vehicle is considered and extension of your home, and since you can carry openly or concealed on your own property, it is also legal to carry it in a vehicle ready for use. Michigan IS NOT such a state. While open carry is legal and fairly well tolerated, stepping into a vehicle while open carrying is considered the same as covering it with your shirt or a coat. It is no longer "open" and is now concealed making it a felony. Ignatz and I have given you the correct answer for transporting your pistol in a vehicle without a CPL. Ed has also provided the MI compiled laws on the subject. You can also go to the Michigan Gun Owner's forum, Michigan Coalition of Responsible Gun Owners and Michigan Open Carry for further information. Also as an aside, in MI to carry concealed you get a CPL. A CCW is what you are charged with when you carry illegally.
Wolverine3660
Mon, Apr 19, 2010 : 12:35 p.m.
ricebrnr and ignatz - I am not a CCW holder, and neither am I a attorney, therefore have this question. Since open carry is legal in Michigan, couldnt a cabbie have a pistol loaded and ready to use in his cab when he is working? Or does the regular open carry law not apply when the pistol is within a vehicle?
Lokalisierung
Mon, Apr 19, 2010 : 11:25 a.m.
See you in 10 years chief. Hope it was worth it.
Ricebrnr
Mon, Apr 19, 2010 : 11:21 a.m.
@Wolverine, If you have a CPL please re-review the laws. You CAN NOT have a loaded firearm in a vehicle WITHOUT a CPL. I believe that is a concealed weapons felony charge! With no CPL you must have an unloaded and cased firearm in a location NOT accessible to the passenger compartment. Google MI CPL Faqs for more.
Ignatz
Mon, Apr 19, 2010 : 11:18 a.m.
Wolverine 3360, Thanks for your response, but that doesn't sound right. When I went through the course, they made it pretty clear that the pistol had to be concealed on your person or locked in a case away from the passenger compartment, like in a trunk. The latter is particularly true if you don't have a permit. I'm all about criminals meeting their demise or at least having to go to the hospital if they endanger citizens, but I don't want the victim to get punished, as well.
Ricebrnr
Mon, Apr 19, 2010 : 11:16 a.m.
The value is that if the criminals believe there is a high chance of an armed victim, then they will choose to go elsewhere. Just like I don't have to make my house Fort Knox, just harder to break into than yours. By this virtue the more people that may be armed in a location the less likely criminals will choose to "hunt" there. Google Kennesaw, GA for an example. Also review the recent Pittsfield shooting determination as an example of how you might still be able to defend yourself in a vehicle. And no you cannot shoot a fleeing felon, under Michigan law, any use of a firearm is an application of deadly force. Deadly force is legally permissible when it is proportional to the threat. Meaning, that deadly force may be used to prevent death, great bodily harm that could lead to death, or rape.
Wolverine3660
Mon, Apr 19, 2010 : 11:09 a.m.
Ignatz- a cabbie sitting in a cab's driver's seat could have his pistol resting right by him, making it east to pull up and shoot a robber. And I think, if the cabbie fears for his life the new castle doctrine law would allow him to shoot the robber, either during or after the threat made by said robber. Actually, inside a cab, a cabbie probably wont even need a CCW permit, he could just have a gun right next to him. More scumbags/criminals being shot is a good thing. And please spare me the sanctimony, please, Ann Arbor people
Ignatz
Mon, Apr 19, 2010 : 10:42 a.m.
I don't know how carrying a concealed weapon will help. The criminal already has his/her weapon drawn, right? The cabbie's weapon needs to be concealed, right? I don't think the justice system will allow a cabbie to shoot a robber once he/she flees the scene (no more threat, no more legal need to draw a pistol and shoot). Anyone know about that?
Steve Pepple
Mon, Apr 19, 2010 : 7:05 a.m.
A comment was removed because it attacked other commenters. Please keep the conversation civil and on topic.
InsideTheHall
Mon, Apr 19, 2010 : 5:57 a.m.
What was the description of the 20 year old male?
Anonymous Due to Bigotry
Mon, Apr 19, 2010 : 12:30 a.m.
gump72: All I really need to know is that people without CPL/CCW permits are significantly more likely to get arrested than those who do have them. Also, I'm not advocating simply "getting a gun". There's a big difference between that and getting a CPL and a gun.
gump72
Sun, Apr 18, 2010 : 11:54 p.m.
maybe only cabbies get guns.
gump72
Sun, Apr 18, 2010 : 11:44 p.m.
lets all get guns. sounds great.
Anonymous Due to Bigotry
Sun, Apr 18, 2010 : 10:25 p.m.
Yea, seriously. I'd have a CPL if I were a cab driver. Once a few guys get shot trying to threaten cab drivers the scumbags will learn that cabs are not good targets.
gibby76
Sun, Apr 18, 2010 : 9:50 a.m.
people use taxis in ann arbor? :O!
Wolverine3660
Sun, Apr 18, 2010 : 8:55 a.m.
I am very glad to hear that the cabbie wasnt harmed in any way. Taxi driver who are eligible ought to go and get CCW permits, so that they can defend themselves against armed robbers.