Armed robber thwarted at Packard - "no crime committed" say police

**night-timer** · July-26-14, 12:23 PM

Yesterday myself and Django were on Concord Street on the eastern side of the Packard Plant for some photography of the building's exterior.

There is 24/7 security on-site now, but only one guard at any given time. The guard is friendly enough, un-armed and keeps a close eye on things. He won't allow access to the inside of the plant [[stick to the main streets) and says he phones the Sheriff if anyone is found inside.

Anyway, I was shooting some pix on Concord while Django sat in his pick-up truck. The next thing I hear is Django saying "Get in the car!". I looked around and saw some youths in hoodies walking towards me. [[Hoodies in summertime?)

I picked up my camera bag, walked over to the pick-up and threw the bag into the back of the truck. Then I went back for my tripod. As I walked towards the car with it, I noticed one youth running straight towards me. I threw the tripod into the truck and dived into the back of the truck, lying on top of my equipment.

By this stage the youth had reached the truck and was holding what appeared to be a Glock pistol. He was standing at the passenger window and yelled "Give it up!".

Django was in the driver's seat unaware that the kid had a gun. I could see it plainly. The next thing I heard was the screech of our tires on the road and we got out of there.

As the car edged forward, the youth was now beside the flatbed, with me lying in it. I could've easily been shot. Luckily the youth didn't fire, or maybe he only had a replica or unloaded pistol.

I asked Django whether we should report the matter to Police. He seemed to think there was little point, but we saw the Packard security guard driving by and pulled up beside him. He phoned police and three or four squad cars arrived in quick time.

We did our best to give a description of the thugs. The police went cruising around to look for them but I don't know what they found, if anything.

According to the police no crime was committed because the thieves got nothing from me and "seeing someone with a gun" is not a crime.

We made it out safely, but a guy brandishing a pistol within inches of us is "not a crime"?

**Dan Wesson** · July-26-14, 12:31 PM

Where was yours?

**night-timer** · July-26-14, 12:37 PM

I'm Australian. I don't live in Detroit. I'm not a US citizen or a US resident, so presumably I don't qualify for a pistol licence [[?). Does anyone know if that is correct?

**Dan Wesson** · July-26-14, 12:40 PM

Really now if the guy was waving a gun at you and you felt in fear for your life you could'a used it legally. Running was the first thing on the agenda but it sounds like he had you.

Florida has got it right now and I'm waiting on Michigan to do the same.

Florida warning shot law

You seen first hand the cops attitude towards your situation. Can't blame 'em.

**Dan Wesson** · July-26-14, 12:48 PM

If you can answer the questions lawfully and not denied by the NICS background check I think you could.

The concealed permit is something else.

https://www.atf.gov/files/forms/download/atf-f-4473-1.pdf

**Cliffy** · July-26-14, 12:55 PM

You had no business being there. I mean its the most dangerous city in America and you're shooting pictures of some old broken down factory. We've all heard the warnings on this board about that area and how people are waiting there to rob you. Can you imagine getting killed because of taking photos of the Packard... Dude, don't risk your life for photos anymore.

**mwilbert** · July-26-14, 01:01 PM

Brandishing a pistol is a crime in Michigan. Allowing someone to see a pistol probably isn't. Based on your account, I would say that there was a crime in there.

**night-timer** · July-26-14, 01:07 PM

So would I... a plainly aggressive act, running straight towards us and pulling out a pistol while saying "Give it up!"

**Johnnny5** · July-26-14, 01:27 PM

Originally Posted by night-timer

I'm Australian. I don't live in Detroit. I'm not a US citizen or a US resident, so presumably I don't qualify for a pistol licence [[?). Does anyone know if that is correct?

Only legal Michigan residents can purchase a pistol in Michigan.

**iheartthed** · July-26-14, 01:42 PM

The Packard Plant is probably the best place in Detroit for thieves to pick up expensive cameras.

**animatedmartian** · July-26-14, 02:45 PM

Originally Posted by night-timer

According to the police no crime was committed because the thieves got nothing from me and "seeing someone with a gun" is not a crime.

We made it out safely, but a guy brandishing a pistol within inches of us is "not a crime"?

That's still attempted robbery. How the fuck do the police disregard that?

**Honky Tonk** · July-26-14, 02:49 PM

I find the title of this post a bit misleading, because actually no crime was "thwarted". I would say it's more like you escaped in one piece and were lucky to still be alive. The perp could've easily emptied his Glock, [[are you sure it was a Glock and not a Sig or a Taurus?) into you, lying there helpless in the back of Django's pickup, for being a smart-ass, and not doing as you were told. With all the hundreds of thousands of Packard ruin-porn shots floating around on the internet, why bother? Why take the chance? The whole ruin-porn thing has kind of come and gone anyway. Curious, though, does Django give his customers a refund if they're shot through the head?

**animatedmartian** · July-26-14, 02:49 PM

Originally Posted by Cliffy

You had no business being there. I mean its the most dangerous city in America and you're shooting pictures of some old broken down factory. We've all heard the warnings on this board about that area and how people are waiting there to rob you. Can you imagine getting killed because of taking photos of the Packard... Dude, don't risk your life for photos anymore.

Most people don't have any business going around pointing their gun at others and trying to take their things. Can you imagine being able to rob people and get away with it just because they "should have known better"? Why doesn't every criminal use that excuse all the time?!

**scottn55** · July-26-14, 02:56 PM

I must've driven by as this was all going down. I was on my way home from Belle Isle when I was passed by two DPD Dodges on Grand Blvd. They stopped in front of the Packard plant where a guy in an old brown Crown Vic [[the security guard?) was waiting for them. I wondered what was going on since the cops were in too big of a hurry to be going after trespassers.

**night-timer** · July-26-14, 03:27 PM

Originally Posted by scottn55

I must've driven by as this was all going down. I was on my way home from Belle Isle when I was passed by two DPD Dodges on Grand Blvd. They stopped in front of the Packard plant where a guy in an old brown Crown Vic [[the security guard?) was waiting for them. I wondered what was going on since the cops were in too big of a hurry to be going after trespassers.

The Packard security guard sits in a gold coloured sedan. I don't know the make or model because I'm not familiar with your local US cars. The Police arrived and the three or four squad cars were all parked on the intersection of Grand Boulevard and Concord, just near the Packard footbridge above Grand Boulevard. I don't know anything about guns, either - it was a small black pistol. Could've been anything.

**Django** · July-26-14, 03:38 PM

Night Timer is a professional photographer, hes not just taking quick snaps of ruin porn but taking large often times 360 panoramas. When we started out taking pics in the city I had told Night Timer that if I tell him to "get in the truck NOW" he should get in the truck asap. When I saw these two with full hoodies up walking toward us I quickly pulled up to N.T. and told him to get in the truck NOW. He scooped up his bag and did not walk back but ran to the the truck dumping all his gear in the back then went back for the tri pod and literally jumped into the back as I hit the gas. I was concentrating on getting the frick outta there so I didn't get a look at them but when I heard him say "give it up" I then knew he had a gun. We were lucky he didn't shoot. Night Timer is convinced I did the right thing but it could have gone wrong because of that decision I had to make.

**Cliffy** · July-26-14, 03:53 PM

Originally Posted by animatedmartian

Most people don't have any business going around pointing their gun at others and trying to take their things. Can you imagine being able to rob people and get away with it just because they "should have known better"? Why doesn't every criminal use that excuse all the time?!

http://www.detroityes.com/mb/showthr...ssaults-thefts

**night-timer** · July-26-14, 04:24 PM

Django did the right thing getting us out of there. I know there were risks, but I have to get the job done. I guess it's not for everyone, LOL.

Great teamwork between me and Django. Scotch on the Rocks afterwards tasted great and everyone in the bar was amused by our little anecdote.

**Jimaz** · July-26-14, 04:26 PM

Sorry this happened. I'll never take that kind of work for granted again.

I'm curious if you guys are planning to return to finish the job. Maybe with your own security next time?

**night-timer** · July-26-14, 04:28 PM

BTW, Django and myself were NOT trespassing at the Packard. I openly introduced myself to the on-site security guard and told him I would be sticking to the main roads only. I did not at any time enter the plant or trespass. We were on/around Grand Boulevard and Concord Street.

**animatedmartian** · July-26-14, 04:28 PM

Originally Posted by Cliffy

http://www.detroityes.com/mb/showthr...ssaults-thefts

So what, are the police going to ask victims if they checked the internet before going to Packard? In that particular thread, most of the cases occurred on the property and pretty much all parties involved were trespassing. However, in this thread, the OP was on public property. Regardless, why are you defending the actions of criminals? They're the ones who are doing wrong and shouldn't be allowed to take other people's stuff, violently or otherwise.

**night-timer** · July-26-14, 04:31 PM

Originally Posted by Jimaz

Sorry this happened. I'll never take that kind of work for granted again.

I'm curious if you guys are planning to return to finish the job. Maybe with your own security next time?

I'm not sure, Jimaz. I had planned to film a few interviews there. I'm not sure what security arrangements or precautions to put in place. Whatever happens, I'll be taking a break from that plant for a few days, that's for sure.

For years I've had to be cautious when carrying expensive equipment. Detroit is obviously a prime example.

I told the cops, "I know this is a run-down area to be in, but the Packard is a tourist attraction in its own strange way".

**Danny** · July-26-14, 05:29 PM

Originally Posted by night-timer

Yesterday myself and Django were on Concord Street on the eastern side of the Packard Plant for some photography of the building's exterior.

There is 24/7 security on-site now, but only one guard at any given time. The guard is friendly enough, un-armed and keeps a close eye on things. He won't allow access to the inside of the plant [[stick to the main streets) and says he phones the Sheriff if anyone is found inside.

Anyway, I was shooting some pix on Concord while Django sat in his pick-up truck. The next thing I hear is Django saying "Get in the car!". I looked around and saw some youths in hoodies walking towards me. [[Hoodies in summertime?)

I picked up my camera bag, walked over to the pick-up and threw the bag into the back of the truck. Then I went back for my tripod. As I walked towards the car with it, I noticed one youth running straight towards me. I threw the tripod into the truck and dived into the back of the truck, lying on top of my equipment.

By this stage the youth had reached the truck and was holding what appeared to be a Glock pistol. He was standing at the passenger window and yelled "Give it up!".

Django was in the driver's seat unaware that the kid had a gun. I could see it plainly. The next thing I heard was the screech of our tires on the road and we got out of there.

As the car edged forward, the youth was now beside the flatbed, with me lying in it. I could've easily been shot. Luckily the youth didn't fire, or maybe he only had a replica or unloaded pistol.

I asked Django whether we should report the matter to Police. He seemed to think there was little point, but we saw the Packard security guard driving by and pulled up beside him. He phoned police and three or four squad cars arrived in quick time.

We did our best to give a description of the thugs. The police went cruising around to look for them but I don't know what they found, if anything.

According to the police no crime was committed because the thieves got nothing from me and "seeing someone with a gun" is not a crime.

We made it out safely, but a guy brandishing a pistol within inches of us is "not a crime"?

You too were at the wrong place and wrong time. Almost got killed by black males wearing hoodies. That would be a lesson to you both. Don't scope out any abandon buildings in the ghetto hoods in Detroit without some protection. I learn that while I did some snooping at some dangerous and abandon buildings in Detroit long ago. I have my piece with and my Street Prophets with me.

**aoife** · July-26-14, 05:29 PM

Attempted armed robbery and the police were not concerned? WTF.
Glad you guys made it out of it without getting hurt.

**unclefrank** · July-26-14, 05:39 PM

Originally Posted by night-timer

I'm Australian. I don't live in Detroit. I'm not a US citizen or a US resident, so presumably I don't qualify for a pistol licence [[?). Does anyone know if that is correct?

That would be correct