Police beat

By Diane Brown
Facilities and Operations

DPS looking for armed robbers
As of the Record's Friday publishing deadline, officers with the Department of Public Safety (DPS) still were looking for two suspects in connection with a series of armed robberies on North Campus. A reward of up to $1,000 is available for information leading to the arrest and convictions of the robbery perpetrators by calling the University's anonymous tip line at (800) 863-1355.

Four robberies were reported Dec. 9 between 8 and 8:45 p.m. near Cram Circle, between Bishop Street and Hubbard Road. An additional robbery was reported the previous night around 11 p.m. near the footpath on the south side of Bursley Hall. A large black semi-automatic handgun and a knife reportedly were held by the suspects as they politely asked for money. No injuries were sustained in any of the incidents.

One suspect is described as a white male, 15-18 years old, 5 feet 7 inches-5 feet 8 inches tall, and 200-230 pounds. He was seen wearing a dark blue jacket with a hood or dark hat. The other is a Black male, 13-16 years old, about 5 feet 6 inches tall, 130 pounds, with light complexion and short, black hair. He was seen wearing a dark blue or black hooded jacket.

If anyone has information pertaining to these crime alerts, call DPS immediately at (734) 763-1131, or call 911 and ask to be connected with DPS. If anyone is confronted by a suspicious person or robbed on campus, find the nearest emergency blue light phone and lift the receiver. DPS will send an officer to the location immediately even if the caller doesn't speak.

Home invasion investigation continues
Officers continue to investigate several home invasions that were reported Nov. 17 in Bursley Hall and East Quad. DPS issued a crime alert after four Bursley residents reported property stolen from their unlocked rooms while they slept. No suspect description was released.

In the East Quad incident, a resident awoke around 4:30 a.m. Nov. 17 to find four college-age white males in his room, reportedly trying to take his television. Two of the suspects were reported to be about 6 feet 3 inches tall, and the other two about 5 feet 10 inches. No other physical description was released.

Residents are encouraged to keep their room doors locked at all times, especially when they are sleeping or have left their rooms.

Mental exam ordered for chemical suspect
Judge Julie Creal Goodridge ordered Daniel Lexington, 45, of Ann Arbor, to complete a mental competency evaluation at his Dec. 4 preliminary exam. Lexington has been charged with larceny in a building, larceny under false pretenses and trespass after he allegedly took several chemicals from laboratories in the Medical Science II building Nov. 20. Lexington, who is not affiliated with the University, is scheduled to return to court Feb. 5.

Suspect charged in Media Union thefts
Christopher Cicchelli, 17, of Ann Arbor, remains in jail after he waived his preliminary exam Dec. 4 in 15th District Court. He is charged with larceny in a building and two trespass counts connected with three thefts Nov. 21 at the Media Union. Five students reported two book bags, a jacket and a cell phone were among items stolen within minutes of each other. A witness provided police officers with a strong description that led them to Cicchelli, who was standing near a U-M bus stop. Cicchelli's pre-trial conference is scheduled for Jan. 23.

November 2002 crime map>

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