Vehicles broken into, purse stolen at Washtenaw County recreation center
Police are investigating two vehicle break-ins that occurred Monday morning in the parking lot of Washtenaw County's Meri Lou Murray Recreation Center.
Washtenaw County's Meri Lou Murray Recreation Center.
Ann Arbor News file
The windows of both cars were broken out. A purse and other items were reported stolen.
There are no suspects at this time. The building is on county property, which is the jurisdiction of the sheriff's office, so deputies will continue to investigate.
There have been numerous vehicle break-ins in Ann Arbor during the past week. Ann Arbor police took a suspect into custody Tuesday morning they believe is responsible for some of them.
If you have any information please contact the Washtenaw County Sheriff’s Office at (734) 994-2911 or anonymously through Crime Stoppers at 1-800-SPEAK-UP.
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
OR75
Wed, Mar 20, 2013 : 5:09 p.m.
You should never leave your valuables in plain sight in your car. It's too easy for someone to break a window, reach in and grab your things. Put your things in your glovebox, trunk or under the seat. If you have to take your things inside the rec center, I know it only costs .25 to rent a locker there. Why would you leave their car keys in an unlocked locker? Isn't your car worth 25 cents?
Jessica Webster
Wed, Mar 20, 2013 : 3:40 p.m.
This is a good reminder. Up until today, I tended to leave my purse or other valuables in the car so I didn't have to worry about locking them up at the rec center. I won't be doing that anymore.
mkm17
Wed, Mar 20, 2013 : 2:14 p.m.
Wow, thank you for this timely article. I use the Rec Center 3-4 times a week, and I admit I'm pretty relaxed about security. I lock my vehicle, but I don't pay close attention to where I park. Once inside, I use a locker but don't lock it. You can bet I'll be much more careful now. It's funny how some people (like me) assume that the only people at a recreation center would be fitness-minded, paid members who would not steal from their fellow members. Pretty naive of me.
John Counts
Wed, Mar 20, 2013 : 4:06 p.m.
mkm17: I'm glad the information was of some use to you. Police always tell me you can never be too vigilant about locking up cars and homes.
wolfa2
Wed, Mar 20, 2013 : 12:28 p.m.
I used the same strategy - park near the building - but one of the cars was right by the front door. She could only have been closer if she was in a handicapped spot. Even for a smash and grab, this one was pretty bold.
makalu
Tue, Mar 19, 2013 : 8:23 p.m.
Has happened to me there three times. First Time: three years ago - they took the car keys and cell phone from my pant pockets in the locker room. They probably couldn't figure out which car so nothing was stolen from the car. Second Time: Six months ago - Same story, didn't lock the locker. By mistake that day i had the key fob on the keyring too. They took the keys and kept pressing the button. Found the car. Left the keys on the vehicle floor. Took my wallet from inside. Locked the car. Went to Wall mart and target. Charged two items worth $ 454 and $ 500 plus on two different cards. All in 40 minutes. Registered a complain with ann arbor police after cancelling the cards. Third time: Finally got wiser. I know they went through my pants in the locker room again. But this time offcoruse there were no keys. Knew about this because the pants magically walked themselves out of the locker and under the locker room benches. Wish i'd put some poison ivy in the pockets. Bottom line is the Mary Lou needs more cameras in the parking lot. Instead of the two they have stuck to the walls now. Because of the landscaping trees these two are useless on the far side and the corners. The whole lot needs to be covered. Just my two cents ...... enough ranting.
Billy
Tue, Mar 19, 2013 : 9:13 p.m.
"Charged two items worth $ 454 and $ 500 plus on two different cards. All in 40 minutes." TVs I bet....this is the standard M.O. They're easily caught too cause you can figure out what model they bought, and just watch craigslist for it to show up. Also.....get a rat trap (not mouse trap...RAT trap..those'll crack finger bones) and put that in your locker under your pants. If you hear a crack and a howl....you'll know you got someone....and you can be guaranteed it wasn't anyone innocent. Yes...booby traps are illegal...but the laws pretty much only apply to deadly traps and ANY trap that uses an explosive. You do however open yourself up for a civil suit...but I'd honestly like to see someone try to sue because they got a finger broken rifling through gym lockers...
eCoaster
Tue, Mar 19, 2013 : 8:52 p.m.
Car robbery - not locker robbery.
Arieswoman
Tue, Mar 19, 2013 : 8:51 p.m.
Don't they have locks on the lockers? Hard to believe.
Alan Goldsmith
Tue, Mar 19, 2013 : 5:19 p.m.
Apparently the speed trap officer usually parked across the street wasn't on duty at the time?
LincolnSchoolMom
Tue, Mar 19, 2013 : 5:13 p.m.
Wasn't there a similar break-in in the parking lot of the rec center in Saline about a month ago?
FrankOZ
Tue, Mar 19, 2013 : 5:11 p.m.
It's usually pretty safe at the rec lot, but to avoid this type of thing, try to park in one of the center areas closer to the front doors. The spots along the back and sides of the lot are easier to access and it's much easier for a thief to get away once they've broken into a car.