News Flash

Durham Police Asking for Information on Robberies 

Durham police investigators are asking for information about several armed robberies that have been reported since February 28. Investigators believe some of the cases may be related. In most of the cases, the suspects approach the victims in parking lots as they are walking to or from their vehicles at night. The suspects have been described as several Hispanic teenage males with their faces covered with scarves, shirts or bandanas. There have also been reports of one or two black teenage males involved in some of the robberies. The suspects are usually armed with guns.

Investigators are asking for information about the following cases:

• February 28 at 11:45 p.m. in a parking lot in the 3800 block of Guess Road. Four males, one brandishing a gun, approached the victim and took a wallet and other belongings. The suspects punched the victim in the face and fled in a gold car. The victim suffered minor injuries.
• March 5 at 2:14 p.m. in the 3000 block of Independence Avenue. Three teenage males with red coverings over their faces robbed a pizza delivery person at gunpoint. They took pizza and cash and ran from the scene.
• March 5 at 10 p.m. in the 500 block of Melbourne Street. Four males, armed with a rifle and a shotgun, approached the victim in a yard and robbed him of his wallet and cash. The suspects covered their faces with shirts.
• March 6 at 10:25 p.m. in the 2300 block of Lednum Street. The victims were sitting in a vehicle when two males, one armed with a shotgun, approached them and stole cash.
• March 7 at 11:36 p.m. in the 1200 block of Naples Place. The victim was in her vehicle when four males robbed her at gunpoint of her purse.
• March 7 at 11:51 p.m. in the 1200 block of Naples Place. The victim was getting out of his vehicle when four males, armed with a gun, robbed the victim of his wallet and phone.
• March 23 at 9:30 p.m. in the 1700 block of Cheek Road (Sherwood Park) – The victims were getting into a vehicle at the park when two men carrying guns ran out of the park and demanded money from the victims. The suspects fired shots as the left. One victim was shot and taken to the hospital for treatment of non-life-threatening injuries.
• April 17 at 9:59 p.m. in the 1200 block of Naples Place. The victim was getting into a vehicle when three males approached her, pointed a gun at her and told her to get out of the vehicle. The suspects took the victim’s purse and cash.

Anyone with information on any of these cases is asked to call Investigator Bernock at (919) 560-4440, ext. 29414, Investigator Robinson at (919) 560-4440, ext. 29415 or CrimeStoppers at (919) 683-1200. CrimeStoppers pays cash rewards for information leading to arrests in felony cases and callers never have to identify themselves.

The Durham Police Department would like to share the following personal safety tips:

• Be aware of your surroundings at all times. Call 911 immediately if you see any suspicious activity or witness a crime.
• Have your keys ready when approaching to enter your apartment or your vehicle.
• Do not carry large amounts of money or jewelry.
• Do not walk alone at night. Dark areas give robbers the advantage to commit crime.
• If someone is following you, do not drive directly to your neighborhood. Instead, drive to a well-lit area.
• When you are walking, avoid strangers or groups of strangers.
• Park your vehicle in well-lighted areas.
• Do not open your home door to strangers. Call 911 immediately.
• Report all incidents of crime. Police cannot investigate and detain suspects if you do not report crime.
• Do not resist if you are being robbed. Always cooperate with the robber. Your life is more important than items of material value.
• Obtain a good description of the suspect so you can report it to the police and call 911 immediately.
• Open a bank account to keep your money safe. If you are robbed and do not have cash, credit cards can be reported lost or stolen.