ANN ARBOR, Mich. -- A 21-year-old University of Michigan student was stabbed early Tuesday morning in a robbery believed to be connected to other recent crimes in the area.

The student was returning to her apartment t about 1:10 a.m. in the 1000 block of East Ann Street when she was assaulted, according to Ann Arbor police. The victim said another woman tried to grab her backpack, and when she tried to grab it back, she felt something stick her in the chest, according to a report in The Ann Arbor News.

Police said the woman suffered a stab wound to her chest, but was expected to recover. She was hospitalized at the University of Michigan Medical Center.

The robber escaped with the student's backpack containing her cell phone, books and wallet, the paper reported.

Investigators believe the student was stabbed with a small folding knife. Officers later found a knife believed to be used in the stabbing, and items from the student's backpack in the nearby area, the paper reported.

Police said they found a woman covered in leaves and dirt walking in the area, who claimed she was hiding from her husband. Police located the husband, and arrested the 41-year-old man and 43-year-old woman in connection with the Tuesday morning robbery and a similar robbery that occurred Saturday, the paper reported.

An 18-year-old University of Michigan student was robbed Saturday while returning to her dormitory. She was leaving a pizzeria when a couple asked her for directions to the U of M hospital, the paper reported.

The student said the couple followed her as she entered a construction zone on East Ann Street, then boxed her in and demanded money, according to the report. The robbers escaped with the student's bank card, student identification, dormitory key and $2 in cash, the paper reported.

Police said the description of the robbers and method of the crime led them to believe the two incidents were related.

"We have had a series of street robberies in the past, so we do urge people to be careful," said Ann Arbor police Sgt. Brad Hill.

Student Michele Yoo said she was "shocked" by the recent crimes.

"I really thought this area was safe," said Yoo.

"I try to be aware, and try to be safe. And I think most girls around here don't live their lives in fear," said student Maggie Fink.