***UPDATE: Duke University Police have released a sketch of the two suspects in the armed robbery on the Durham campus on Friday morning.***

Police departments in Chapel Hill and Durham are working together to solve five possibly related armed robbery cases.

Four incidents occurred Wednesday and Friday in Chapel Hill, and one happened at Duke University on Friday.

“The UNC ones were on July 22nd, toward the end of the night,” said Lt. Josh Mecimore of the Chapel Hill Police, speaking to WCHL on Friday. “And then, we had two reports of armed robberies, last night just after midnight.

“And then, I guess around 1:40 a.m. [Friday] is when Duke University had one. And the description, the M.O. the suspects are using, and even the vehicle description in each of the incidents is very similar. And so, it’s caused us to work together to realize there are similarities to help identify some suspects, see if these are related, and hopefully, bring whoever’s responsible to justice.”

Mecimore described an armed robbery attempt that occurred in Chapel Hill just after midnight Friday. According to the police report, the intended victim got away without surrendering any personal property.

“Near 1305 East Franklin St., which is sort of in the area of Sunrise Biscuit Kitchen, a 58-year-old male was walking down Franklin Street. Three black males came up from off of the trail area, kind of at the bridge over the Bolin Creek Trail – stairs up from there.

“They pointed a gun at him, told him to get on the ground. When they told him to get on the ground, he ran, and they did not pursue.”

A very short time later, a 50-year-old male reported that three black males robbed him of his cell phone at gunpoint, in the area of Elliott Road and Franklin Street.

The getaway car has been described as either a tan, gold, or white sedan. The suspects are described as black males with a dark complexion between the ages of 20 and 25. The armed suspect in Wednesday’s robberies was described as about 5’10”, with a stocky build, a rounder face and a short-fade haircut. At the time of the incident, he was wearing a dark tank top.

The second suspect was described as around 6 feet tall, with a thin build and short hair.

There was a getaway car spotted in some of the incidents, so police may be looking for four suspects.

Mecimore advises local residents to report any suspicious activity they see in their neighborhoods.

“We also encourage people, especially late at night, to travel in pairs; use public transportation where it’s available; if you’re coming back from the bars, have a designated driver that can drop you off. UNC publishes a lighting map that shows the most well-lit corridors on campus.”

If you have any information that can help police in this investigation, please call 911 or CrimeStoppers. The number in Chapel Hill is 919- 942-7515. Durham callers can use 919-683-1200.

Callers may be eligible for a cash reward if their information leads to an arrest.