State Street bookstore held up at gunpoint

Michigan Book and Supply on State Street was robbed at gunpoint on April 28, Ann Arbor Police Sgt. Rich Kinsey said. The perpetrators were two masked men who left the store with an undisclosed amount of cash.

“I believe they may have been hiding in the store. At closing time two masked bandits approached the manager and another employee, and demanded money,” Kinsey added.

As a result of the robbery, Bob Duerksen, owner of Great Lakes Team Apparel on State Street, said his business has been reviewing safety precautions.

“This is definitely a concern to us. It is an area where you don’t see it happen that much. So when something like this does happen, you have to go over security measures to make sure you’re doing everything you can to keep this from happening again,” Duerksen said.

He added that his business has been concentrating on educating the employees first and foremost.

“We’re going over with employees how to service customers to deter anything like this from happening – where someone could hide in the store. Just being aware of the environment, ‘Total Floor Awareness’ is what we call it,” Duerksen said.

But Duerksen said for the spring and summer terms his business is not taking overtly aggressive security measures, such as hiring more security guards or installing cameras.

This serves in direct contrast to Ulrich’s Bookstore that has already implemented security guards to be present during store hours, said an anonymous Progressive Security Group officer.

“There are two security guards working store hours. We’re not looking for anything in particular. They just want us around for extra security,” he added.

Michigan Book and Supply is also increasing its level of security.

“We are also training personnel to implement robbery procedures – what to do in the event of a robbery. Personal awareness when coming to and leaving work – to be conscious of (your) surroundings. Also to inform management of suspicious activity while at work,” Michigan Book and Supply textbook manager Scott Rambo said.

But even though safety may be in question for many businesses, LSA junior Nik Frank-Lehrer said this robbery will not serve as a deterrent to shop at Michigan Book and Supply.

“No, I don’t think so, what are the odds the same guys will rob the place at gunpoint? There weren’t customers involved so I don’t feel scared. I wouldn’t want to work there though,” Frank-Lehrer said.

He added that he never had the allusion that Ann Arbor was totally safe.

“Violence in Ann Arbor is not excessive, but people have to expect incidents to occur every once in a while,” Frank-Lehrer added.

Ulrich’s has already implemented security guards to be present during store hours, said an anonymous Progressive Security Group officer.

“There are two security guards working store hours. We’re not looking for anything in particular. They just want us around for extra security,” he added.

Michigan Book and Supply is also increasing its level of security.

“We are also training personnel to implement robbery procedures – what to do in the event of a robbery. Personal awareness when coming to and leaving work – to be conscious of (your) surroundings. Also to inform management of suspicious activity while at work,” Michigan Book and Supply textbook manager Scott Rambo said.

But even though safety may be in question for many businesses, LSA junior Nik Frank-Lehrer said this robbery will not be a deterrent to shop at the store.

“What are the odds the same guys will rob the place at gunpoint? There weren’t customers involved so I don’t feel scared. I wouldn’t want to work there though,” he said.

He added that he never had the allusion that Ann Arbor was totally safe.

“Violence in Ann Arbor is not excessive, but people have to expect incidents to occur every once in a while,” he added.