Good Afternoon-

Today, we have had 2 reported break-ins in the Hope Valley area.  Near 1 of the break-ins a suspicious vehicle was reported.  It is described as a small red SUV.  At this time, this is all of the information available as we are still gathering data.

If you feel that something does not look like it belongs in your neighborhood, please report it to 911.  We would be pleased to investigate it for you.

Thank you.

Lt. Mark Morais
Assistant Commander- District 3
mark.morais@durhamnc.gov
919-560-4583 x29354

Chimney Ridge & Highgate Dr. area

A female was jogging Sunday afternoon when a young black male jogged past her from behind and grabbed her buttocks. The male then jogged into the Woodwinds subdivision. Suspect is believed to be in his late teens early 20`s, black male, approximately 6’0”, thin, muscular build, with high top hairstyle. The suspect was wearing no shirt and light blue long gym shorts.

Anyone with information please contact Inv. Stevenson at 919-560-4583 ext. * 29360 or Sergeant Johnson at 919-560-4583 ext. *29539

The Durham Police Department would like to share the following personal safety tips:
• Be aware of your surroundings
• Call 911 to report any suspicious activities
• Do not walk alone
• Try to remain in well-lit areas
• Trust your instincts
• Do not walk/run with earbuds or headphones
• Bring a cell phone

Vehicle Break-ins Parking Lots near American Tobacco Trail

Six vehicle break-ins have occurred over the last month in the parking lots adjacent to the trail- 7600 Block of Fayetteville Rd and 511 Scott King Rd. All of the vehicles were locked, but valuables were left inside.

The Durham Police Department offers the following vehicle break-in crime prevention tips:
• Do not leave packages in plain view inside your vehicle. Put them in the trunk or cover them up.
• Do not leave valuables in your vehicle
• Keep a record of serial numbers for electronics
• Keep your vehicle in a well-lighted area
• Report suspicious activity to 911
• Secure your vehicle at all times. Lock your doors

Captain M. K. Bond
Executive Officer to the Chief of Police
Durham Police Department
505 W. Chapel Hill Street
Durham, NC 27701
O:  919-560-4322 (*29202)
F:  919-560-4971
marianne.bond@durhamnc.gov

http://Facebook.com/DurhamPoliceDepartment

A day or so ago I reported that a package that a neighbor believed was stolen had simply been misdelivered.  After that post, I heard from another neighbor who reported a similar experience and requested that I write a follow-up post on this issue.

Considering just how many packages are delivered these days, misdeliveries likely happen with some frequency.  If you receive a package in error, then please either (1) pass it along to the correct neighbor in a timely fashion, or (2) contact the delivery service to inform them of their error.  Waiting longer than about a day may result in a duplicate delivery, which will cost the intended recipient additional time, if not additional money.

Thank you for your time and attention!

1. Install a 6 foot privacy fence around your back yard with locked gated entrance.
2. Install a monitored home security system and use it, making sure when you leave, if only for an errand or walking the dog the house is locked and the alarm is on. Some home owners turn the system on when going to bed at night.
3. Install motion detector lights over the doors, garage, driveway.
4. Install exterior and interior video cameras. Some alarm companies offer this package.
5. Record serial numbers of all electronics and mark them in the event that they are stolen for ease of tracing them.
6. During the day, if you have  large window(s) in the front or the sides of your house, keep shear drapes (that let light in) fully closed and/or blinds pulled at an angle that prevents someone outside from seeing the interior of the home. If at night, fully close window blinds and full outer drapes  (if you have them) for the same reason.
7. If you have a garage with windows, buy affordable self sticking window covers (Lots of designs to choose from) so the interior of the garage cannot be observed. Many of us have entries into our homes via the garage so this is very important.
8. Do not leave your garage door open when you are home or when you are working in another part of the yard and not in the garage. Again, aside from criminals stealing any belongings kept in the garage (or breaking into a parked vehicle), many of us have garages with entry into our homes.
9. Get to know your neighbors next door, across the street and behind you.
10. Notify close neighbors and your block captain if you are going to be out of town.
11. When traveling make arrangements to have your mail/newspaper delivery interrupted or have a neighbor pick them up daily to give the impression you are home.
12. Delay ordering UPS or large packages that may be delivered to your home when you are out of town. We have also had reports of delivered packages stolen. Or again divert the package to a family or close neighbor, or lastly notify a close neighbor or family to be on the lookout for the package and keep it safe until your return.
13. Reinforce porch screens/windows and entry doors to your home.
14. And this list can go on. These are some key actions. Many of you can think of many more. Please feel free to comment on this post if you have ideas.

Be safe, be vigilant. Your neighborhood watch team.

Good Afternoon-

District 3 is investigating a number of vehicle break-ins that occurred last night.  A high concentration occurred in the apartments near the area of the 4800 blk of University Dr and around the 4200 blk of Garrett Rd.  The vehicles have had windows broken out and door pried open.  At this time, it is still an open investigation.

This is just a reminder to not leave any valuables in vehicles.  As seen last night, suspects will physically break into vehicles to get what they want out.

Also- if you see anyone in your neighborhood that looks suspicious, please do not hesitate to call 911 to have officers check it out.  We will respond to every call that we get so do not feel as though you are bothering us.

We thank you again for all that you do.

Lt. Mark Morais
Assistant Commander- District 3
919-560-4583 x29354
mark.morais@durhamnc.gov

It has been reported that on Monday, July 18th between 3:20-4:10 PM a weedwacker was stolen from an open carport on the dead end section of the 3200 block of Oxford Drive.

There were no cars at the house though one resident was home and didn’t see anything.

A police report has been filed.

Earlier it was reported that a UPS delivery likely had been stolen from the Bexley cul-de-sac (3000 block) during the afternoon of Friday, July 1.  The homeowner in question just received follow-up information from UPS, and it turns out that the package was delivered to the same house number on a different street in the neighborhood.

It’s a pleasure to report that this was a false alarm.

A break-in has been reported to the Durham police on Monday July 18.

The estimated time of the event was between 12:30 PM – 6 PM.  Entrance was gained through the back door from the deck.  The door was kicked in and destroyed.  The home was ransacked while electronics, jewelry and other valuables were taken.  Interestingly a package was dropped of at the front door at 5:50 PM and it was not taken.  Neither did the driver report the open door to the police.

Prints were taken by Durham police.

Please be on the lookout for any suspicious or unfamiliar cars in the neighborhood as there seems to be an uptick of break-ins occurring.

A package was delivered by USPS(and probably left on the porch)to a house on the 3000 block of Oxford.
This occurred last Wednesday July 13 and when the owner returned home, there was no package.
We will provide follow-up info if/when available.

A neighbor on Yorkdale reported that a break-in occurred yesterday Thursday July 14 sometime between the hours of 8:30 am and 7pm. Some electronics were stolen and the police were notified of the break-in yesterday evening when the renters returned home. Further details will be posted when available.