iPad thief drops cell phone during heist
It may have seemed like the perfect theft - meet a person who wants to sell an iPad, then just grab it and run away.
But for an Ypsilanti man now awaiting charges in the Washtenaw County Jail, the scenario took a different twist.
An iPad, which retails for about $499.
He dropped his cell phone during the theft, essentially giving police a roadmap to find him.
The situation took place at about 4 p.m. Saturday in the 600 block of Armstrong, according to Ypsilanti Police.
The victim was meeting with the suspect to show him the iPad, but that's when the suspect ran off.
Thanks to the cell phone, police were able to determine the man's identity.
They went to his home, where he fought with police and once again tried to run away, according to an incident summary.
This time, he was caught a few blocks from his home. He was taken to the jail, where he was awaiting charges of both larceny from person and assault on a police officer.
This story will be updated.
Comments
Wolf's Bane
Mon, Feb 20, 2012 : 2 a.m.
Someone is in need of a competency hearing, huh?
quetzalcoatl
Sun, Feb 19, 2012 : 10:29 p.m.
I understand prisons of full of people who find street corners ideal settings for business transactions.
vaseline
Sun, Feb 19, 2012 : 5:02 p.m.
And have many more fees. If you sell anything like this on craigslist (as I have, cars too, but I don't think you could do it for a couch) meet in a public place as Arieswoman said above, go inside the public place (I usually go to the McDonald's or Plum Market Cafe), and try to someone accompany you ( or call them both before and after the transaction, and give that person the number of the person that you are doing a transaction with. If the person won't agree to these things that would be a red-flag Or you could take smokeblwr's advice, deal with more complex listing software, wait to list and the auction/buy it now to end, let ebay take a bunch of fees and have to deal with shipping and waiting to get your money (unless you use paypal which costs more fees)
OLDTIMER3
Tue, Feb 21, 2012 : 12:39 a.m.
I have never been charged a fee to use paypal.
smokeblwr
Sun, Feb 19, 2012 : 6:57 p.m.
Yes, there are more fees and it is complex for somebody first learning to use it but not having to arrange meet up points with complete strangers who sometimes don't even show up or decide not to purchase your old iPhone 3 is worth a few bucks in my book. To each his or her own though, unlike the federal government I won't dictate to people what they should or shouldn't do. Do what thou wilt, so mete it be.
smokeblwr
Sun, Feb 19, 2012 : 4:06 p.m.
In-demand electronics are much easier and safer to sell on eBay.
smokeblwr
Sun, Feb 19, 2012 : 6:54 p.m.
I can't? The truth is craigslist is often frequented by hoodlums looking to scam you and there is nobody watching over the safety of your transaction but you and your sidearm.
Ken
Sun, Feb 19, 2012 : 2:50 p.m.
What a Genius! Turn a misdemeanor into a felony.
Eep
Mon, Feb 20, 2012 : 11:08 a.m.
"Larceny from the person" is technically a felony regardless of the value of the item(s) stolen. There is no $100 limit. Assaulting a police officer while the officer is performing his/her duties is also a felony. However, the idea that this is treated as a "serious felony" that is "certain to get you jail time" is laughable. Prosecutors and judges commonly believe that being assaulted is part of a police officers job. Assault charges are routinely dismissed as part of plea bargains for other crimes, and as long as the officer isn't seriously injured there's not any real guarantee of jail or prison time.
Vette96drvr
Sun, Feb 19, 2012 : 8:50 p.m.
larceny of an item over $100 in value is a felony, however, a much less serious felony than assaulting a police officer which is certain to get you jail time.
FreedomSpeech
Sun, Feb 19, 2012 : 7:37 p.m.
A "misdemeanor"? Which: "larceny from person" or "assault on a police officer" ?
Arieswoman
Sun, Feb 19, 2012 : 2:09 p.m.
I have sold some things on Craigslist but make sure I am in a very public place to do this. It is too bad this happened but glad they caught the man.