Lock your cars. There has been a significant rise in car break-ins in Chapel Hill this month.
The Chapel Hill Police Department is warning citizens to be aware and take precautionary measures.
Since Nov. 1, Chapel Hill police have investigated more than 22 reported vehicle break-ins. Lt. Josh Mecimore, spokesperson for the Chapel Hill Police Department, said most all of the break-ins have happened to unlocked vehicles.
“We are asking people to lock their cars and remove valuables,” Mecimore said.
People are urged to avoid leaving laptops, tablets, firearms, wallets and any other valuable items in their cars.
Mecimore said the police department is increasing patrols in targeted areas, including East Chapel Hill and Northwest Chapel Hill near I-40. They are also working to identify who is responsible for the thefts. Mecimore said he believes that some of these break-ins have been by the same person.
UNC student Peter Fox, 21, had his car broken into on Nov. 3 on West Stinson Street. The suspect entered through an unlocked door and went through the entire car looking for valuables.
“I forgot to lock my car one night and came out the next morning to find the contents of my backpack strewn across my car and my center console open,” Fox said. “It was quite frustrating because my favorite watch was in one of my backpack pockets and was stolen.”
The number of break-ins this month has significantly increased from the same time period in 2015 and also has significantly increased in recent months, Mecimore said.
