News Flash

Durham police investigators are asking for information about a series of armed robberies that have targeted Hispanic victims since March 3. The robberies have occurred outside, primarily in apartment complex parking lots. 

In these robberies there have usually been two suspects armed with guns and items stolen have included money, credit cards and cell phones. In most cases the suspects assaulted the victims by striking them in the head with the butt of the gun and often made them lie on the ground. In one case, a victim was shot during the robbery. The suspects have been seen leaving at least one robbery location in a black or dark-colored SUV, possibly a Ford Expedition.

Investigators are asking for information about the following cases:      

• March 3 at 9:10 a.m. in the 1400 block of Newcastle Road – Two males and a female were sitting in a car in a parking lot when two armed men wearing all black approached them and took money and cell phones. 
• March 5 at 8:49 p.m. in the 1300 block of Morreene Road – A male victim was in the parking lot when two men wearing all black came up behind him and hit him in the head with a gun. They took his AirPods and smashed his cell phone. 
• March 5 at 9:10 p.m. in the 2900 block of Chapel Hill Road – Two men were in the parking lot when two male suspects wearing all black approached them. The suspects hit one victim on the head with a gun and both victims were robbed of cash. 
• March 5 at 9:22 p.m. in the 4200 block of Garrett Road – Two male suspects approached a juvenile female in the parking lot and demanded money. When she told them she had no money, one suspect hit her in the nose with a gun. The suspects then hit a male juvenile in the head with a gun and took his cell phone and debit card. 
• March 7 at 10:53 a.m. in the 1000 block of Spruce Street – A female was walking to a home when a male suspect approached her from behind, pushed her down and took her purse and cell phone. 
• March 8 at 7:12 p.m. in the 4200 block of Garrett Road - Two males armed with guns approached a man in the apartment complex, pushed him to the ground and took his wallet and cell phone. The suspects are believed to have left the area in a black Ford Expedition driven by another person. 
• March 8 at 7:30 p.m. in the 100 block of West Channing Avenue – A male victim was in the parking lot when two males armed with a firearm approached him and threw him to the ground. The suspects took money from the victim’s wallet and fled. 
• March 8 at 8:50 p.m. in the 2900 block of Holloway Street – A male was getting off a bus when he was approached by a male and a female. The female pointed a gun at the victim and the male took the victim’s money, wallet, keys and phone. The male then pushed the victim down and fled.
• March 11 around midnight in the 4200 block of Garrett Road – Three victims were in the parking lot when an armed male approached them and demanded money. The suspect took the victim’s wallet and documents. 
• March 11 at 11:49 p.m. in the 1200 block of Hearthside Street – Three males were standing in a driveway when an armed male approached them on foot and demanded the victims’ wallets. During the confrontation, the suspect hit one victim in face and a second victim in the back of the head with a gun. The third victim was shot in the abdomen. The suspect stole wallets from all three victims.

Anyone with information is asked to call 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 in the dark. 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.
• 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.