Carrboro Police have made two arrests in connection with an armed robbery.

Carrboro Police Captain Chris Atack says officers were called to the scene of a reported armed home invasion at Estes Park Apartments at 1:18 Tuesday morning.

“Upon arrival, officers discovered that two people had tried to force their way into an apartment with a weapon,” he says. “By the time officers arrived, the suspects had fled the area.

“We used one of our canines to track one of the suspects. And the track went for a period of time and actually our canine needed to be relieved by a Chapel Hill canine. And when the Chapel Hill canine took over, apparently the suspect was very near to where our canine had tired out.”

Atack says – with the help of the four-legged partners – police were able to take 29-year-old Joseph Moran into custody. Atack says after further investigation 29-year-old Jared Grant was also arrested.

Atack adds both suspects required medical attention upon their arrest.

“Both Mr. Moran and Mr. Grant suffered injuries as a result of the residents defending themselves,” he says. “They had not serious injuries, but they were significant injuries.”

Atack says this does not appear to be a random act, at this time.

“There was a nexus that led these people to a certain location,” he says, “and it’s not a random event.”

Atack says, because of that, police do not believe this is connected with a string of armed robberies in the area.

“Different folks, different MO, we don’t feel there’s any involvement,” he says. “We’re not sure exactly where this idea came from, but we don’t believe this is part of a greater trend at this point.

“We think it’s a singular event.”

Moran was charged with First Degree Burglary and Attempted Robbery with a Dangerous Weapon. He is being held under a $105,000 bond. The Orange County Court calendar shows Moran with a scheduled appearance for Wednesday afternoon on those two charges as well as felony possession with intent to sell cocaine, felony possession of a scheduled 1 controlled substance, and a misdemeanor count of carrying a concealed weapon.

Grant will be transported to the custody of the Orange County Jail after his release from UNC Hospital.

Atack says the police department wants to take this opportunity to encourage residents to notify authorities if they see anything suspicious.

“We always want to come out and check on things before there’s a problem,” he says.

If you have additional information regarding the Carrboro break in, you are asked to contact Carrboro Police or Crime Stoppers.