Crime doesn't always pay in Ann Arbor.

The Ann Arbor Police Department reported two armed robberies early Saturday morning, both allegedly involving a gun. Neither thief managed to take more than $200.

Police said the incidents were unrelated and have not been linked with other recent crimes. The robberies, which were only two hours apart, happened at about 3 and 5 a.m., one in a parking structure on Catherine Street and Fourth Street, the other on the 700 block of South Forest. Neither victim was a student.

On Catherine St. a young man was approached by an unshaven white male wearing a black hat, blue jeans and a black wool coat. The man asked the victim to come with him, according to the victim's statement as recorded by the AAPD. The victim refused, saying that the man looked like he was under the influence of drugs. The suspect then showed him what appeared to be the handle of a gun in his waistband, telling the victim he should come with him.

The man led the victim to a parking structure on Catherine Street, where he forced him to take off his coat and shoes and surrender his cash, $55.

When police arrived at the scene of the crime on South Forest Street, they found the victim, a taxi driver, leaning against the hood of his Shamrock Cab in the rain. The officers noticed the left side of his face was bleeding. The victim told police two men in black coats were in his cab, one in the front seat, and one in the back. The man in the front seat grabbed the steering wheel and forced the car into a ditch between two houses. The victim said one of the men asked him for $50 in exchange for help pushing the car out of the ditch. When the victim said he had no money, the suspect hit him across the face with the butt of a small black semi-automatic handgun, and forcibly removed $200 from his breast pocket.

A student who lives nearby and observed the incident, told police she saw the cab driver give one of the men money, then get out of the car and try to push it out of the ravine unsuccessfully. She also said she saw one of the men strike the victim with his hand, not a gun, before running away.

When police arrived with their dog, Brutus, they were able to track the scent of the suspects, which led them to a Lutheran Ministry building on South Forest Street. The dog also halted at a few houses on Prospect Street Police inquired at all addresses, but found no trace of the suspects.

Department of Public Safety spokeswoman Diane Brown said students walking home alone late at night are advised to call safe-walk, an escort service that can be reached at 763-WALK (or 763-9255). She also advises students to stay alert, walk in groups and stick to well-lit areas.