Police investigate string of bank robberies in Washtenaw, Jackson counties
This Flagstar Bank branch on Commonwealth Boulevard in Ann Arbor was robbed Saturday.
Meanwhile, Flagstar Bank is offering a $2,500 reward to anyone who provides information leading to the arrest and conviction of the suspects in Saturday’s robbery.
A surveillance camera captured this image of suspects at the Flagstar Bank.
Photo courtesy Ann Arbor police
They fled with an undisclosed amount of money in a vehicle. Information about the vehicle and descriptions of the men were not available. No customers were in the bank at the time of the robbery, he said.
The string of at least seven other robberies police believe are connected includes several in which masked men jumped the counter to steal money. In one robbery, at the TCF Bank at Hewitt and Packard roads in Ypsilanti Township last year, a security camera captured a clear picture of a man in a white mask, similar to a Jason “Friday the 13th” mask, jumping the counter.
The robberies include the May 25 robbery of a TCF Bank in Saline that put schools on lockdown while police searched for the suspects.
The robberies police believe are related occurred at:
- TCF Bank Saline, May 25.
- Citizens Bank in Jackson March 29
- Comerica Bank at 3305 block of Washtenaw Avenue, Ann Arbor, Dec. 24.
- The America 1 Credit Union in Jackson, Dec. 21.
- Bank of America at 2250 W. Michigan Ave. in Ypsilanti Township, Aug. 15..
- TCF bank at Hewitt Road and Packard in Ypsilanti Township on March 5, 2011.
- PNC Bank at 3175 West Clark Road in Ypsilanti Township
Anyone with information on the Ann Arbor robbery can call Det. Bill Stanford at (734) 794-6930, ext. 49318, or the AAPD confidential tip line at (734) 794-6939.
Ann Arbor police provided the surveillance camera images in the slideshow below:
Comments
Scott Suther
Wed, Dec 5, 2012 : 6:35 p.m.
The day before this robbery two cars were stolen from my apartment complex. One was a Jeep used to drive the suspects to the bank, it was left at the scene of the robbery. The other was my silver 1985 Monte Carlo SS. I am confused about why that is not mentioned in the report.
Maddie4You
Wed, Jul 4, 2012 : 8:19 p.m.
I was a head bank teller in the 1980's. I quit and went back to college the day the bank sent in the crew to remove the bullet proof glass from all the branches. They said it promoted a friendly customer atmosphere. And, that the security cameras would be all the security needed to prevent robbery. How stupid is that....really? It is extremely stupid and puts bank employees at tremendous risk.
A2Frenchman
Tue, Jul 3, 2012 : 8:23 a.m.
This is very scary. Right near my house, too.
A2Frenchman
Thu, Jul 5, 2012 : 11:09 a.m.
That happened at my brothers school almost right down the street from the bank. Indeed it was very scary.
jns131
Tue, Jul 3, 2012 : 3:43 p.m.
Try having your childs school on lock down due to a bank robbery. I had to go get her because they were told by police if the parent calls? Tell em to come get em. Police were every where and watching the walkers who had no way to get home. Just plain scary.
RJA
Tue, Jul 3, 2012 : 2:38 a.m.
Nope, don't need a gun, just hoodies and a mask. If I see anyone in a hoodie in this weather, I'm going to drive or run the other way.
Goodphotographer
Tue, Jul 3, 2012 : 12:01 a.m.
It's harder to get in and out of most downtown clubs and bars on a weekend night than banks. Banks could learn fom clubs and bars. How about being buzzed in if you are not wearing a mask or showing a photo ID or a card swipe and pin number without a mask. You can't just walk in my house and certianly NOT with a mask. I have a coat rack for masks I wonder, if the FDIC or other insurer stop paying for masked robber losses how quick this would be fixed. I wonder why jewelers buzz people in and out of stores in cities like NY and Chicago? If it's easy they will come. Two words come to mind.....airport security.
jns131
Mon, Jul 2, 2012 : 10:27 p.m.
Did they ever catch the robbers back in the fall of 2010? Could this be them again? Weird not to be hearing anything like this until almost 2 years later. Hope they catch them.
Elaine F. Owsley
Mon, Jul 2, 2012 : 8:19 p.m.
If someone could come up with a security camera that shoots at head level, maybe it would be easier to identify these guys. I can't believe, given our national experience via the military, FBI, CIA, etc. that some kind of equipment doesn't exist. The tops of these guys hoodies doesn't tell anyone who they are.
OLDTIMER3
Tue, Jul 3, 2012 : 12:35 p.m.
I don't see why they can't do what they do at these check cashing and payday advance loan places, no hats or sun glasses or they won't buzz you in. May slow down entry but it would almost surly stop most of the robberies.
Tru2Blu76
Mon, Jul 2, 2012 : 9:54 p.m.
@Jayzoh: "I think banks need to be more creative in apprehending and physically catching..." His name is Harry ("Dirty Harry") Callahan. ;-) They made a movie by the same name ("Dirty Harry") about him. Otherwise, see my previous post/ response to Ms. Owsley. The banks: simply don't care because the money (or relative safety of employees & customers) isn't significant to them. Remember the saying, "The best way to rob a bank is to own one." ?? --- Well, that's still true. ;-)
Jayzoh
Mon, Jul 2, 2012 : 8:30 p.m.
Jason style or balaklava type masks will obscure the face even from head level cameras. I think we need to simply trap them after the fact. Maybe I saw too much of Home Alone, but I think banks need to be more creative in apprehending and physically catching, and thereby putting a damper on these thieves.
rs
Mon, Jul 2, 2012 : 7:42 p.m.
It is sad when a bank robbery is a common headline in the local news. Whats even worse is these banks don't seem to take preventative measures against it. Why not follow European banks and put up bulletproof glass between the tellers and general lobby? Its apparent that these robberies aren't going to subside, time for the banks to adapt. Its crazy that some local gas stations have better theft prevention then our banks.
ArthGuinness
Tue, Jul 3, 2012 : 3:12 p.m.
Yeah, why not spend tens of thousands of dollars to prevent an occasional loss of hundreds of dollars? Sorry if I'm being sarcastic, but the calculations have already been made and it doesn't appear to be worth it. And to be honest, I think customers shy away from banks that look like they are prisons, for good or for bad.
Basic Bob
Tue, Jul 3, 2012 : 1:42 a.m.
It might actually be safer to let them run away than to trap them inside the bank with potential hostages. A few hundred or even thousand dollars is a small price to pay compared to the loss of innocent customers and employees. I'm sure bank security departments have figured this out.
Tru2Blu76
Mon, Jul 2, 2012 : 9:22 p.m.
Just FYI: Bank robberies are among the most-publicized crimes , yet available statistics indicate each robbery actually nets small sums (in the 100s, not 1000s) of money and capture rates are fairly high when compared to other felonies. Banks long ago took note of this and that's why they provide so little actual security for themselves... or their customers. (And of course "bank policies" prohibit self defense with a firearm. LOL!)
Elaine F. Owsley
Mon, Jul 2, 2012 : 8:20 p.m.
When one of our local banks changed ownership, the bullet-proof glass was removed. The tellers and everyone else working the bank are at risk.
gladys
Mon, Jul 2, 2012 : 8:14 p.m.
Way back when it was called "Ann Arbor Bank", they put in bulletproof glass all the way to the ceiling. Guess it will take a teller being killed before all banks come to their senses and provide this security measure.
Jayzoh
Mon, Jul 2, 2012 : 8:03 p.m.
Yes! Local gas stations are individually owned and operated, and the owner has a lot at stake, making bullet proof glass enclosed booths a worthwhile necessity in high crime areas. Whereas it appears that banks, which are dealing with vast sums of money at all their branches, build losses due to robberies, as well as credit card and id theft into their budget as part of their expected "shrinkage" much like retailers do, who likewise account for petty theft by shoppers in their stores. Evidently, bank robberies such as this are considered part of small and necessary (?) losses for the banks, that we customers end up covering in high fees and credit card interest rates. Personally, I would like to see every bank have a bullet proof, large, glass enclosed entry way, with doors that will automatically lock, in all directions and sides, on the thieves as they try to escape with their stolen cash. When this happens the police will be on their way to haul them off. Problem finished.
Ricebrnr
Mon, Jul 2, 2012 : 7:15 p.m.
Of course, what's the disincentive? Don't even need to get a weapon. All the Banks tell the worker's to just give up the money. Hell of a lot easier and gets more money than robbing people or houses. And if they get caught, room and board for free. What's the downside?
Davidian
Tue, Jul 3, 2012 : 3:25 p.m.
The downside is possibly getting your head shot off, which is exactly what I'm wishing on these thugs.
jns131
Mon, Jul 2, 2012 : 10:28 p.m.
I worked at a bank once. Once mind you, got held up and quit a week later. How did I feel? I fainted.
Tru2Blu76
Mon, Jul 2, 2012 : 9:08 p.m.
From Our "Have You Wondered What They're Hiding?" Department: Right on, Dude! IN addition, it's worth pointing out that U.S. banks refuse to divulge robbery data. Meanwhile, a study in the U.K. shows bank robberies are among the least "profitable" and most pursued by law enforcement (because it's great PR for the cops). And lets not forget that customers are generally forbidden to carry their own guns into banks - and pretty much prohibited from even owning a handgun in the U.K). I guess that must be because the chance of being shot by amateur (and nervous) bank robbers is so low - in SOMEONE'S OPINION. In other words (as usual?) the corporate world is guarding its "privacy" while telling the rest of us their PR trumps our rights.