UPDATE on April 16: The Chapel Hill Police Department said investigators arrested a juvenile suspect in this carjacking case. More details can be found here.

Chapel Hill Police are investigating the carjacking of a UNC student in a West Franklin Street parking deck that took place early Saturday morning — and are offering a reward to those who may help identify the suspect.

An alert from the Chapel Hill Police Department shortly after 3 a.m. said officers responded to a report of a carjacking in the 100 block of West Franklin Street at 12:43 a.m., and found a driver who described a man stealing their vehicle at gunpoint. UNC later released an Alert Carolina to its campus community and provided more details — saying the incident happened to a student in the Carolina Square parking deck.

The suspect, who police described as an unknown male and provided no identifying features in their alerts, drove off with the vehicle, which is a gray 2017 Mercedes CLA 250 with the North Carolina tag HEV-1901. No injuries were reported from the incident — but Chapel Hill Police said if the vehicle is spotted, do not approach it or its driver.

The stolen 2017 Mercedes reported to Chapel Hill Police. (Photo via the Chapel Hill Police Department.)

The carjacking marks the second such theft in the greater Chapel Hill-Carrboro area in four days. The Carrboro Police alerted the community to an armed carjacking at Roberson Street from Wednesday evening and are continuing to seek a suspect. Chapel Hill Police did not indicate the two crimes are connected, and both Chapel Hill and UNC’s departments said there is no ongoing threat to the community.

Investigators encourage anyone who may have additional information or knowledge about the carjacking to come forward, with details that lead to an arrest being eligible for a reward up to $2,000. Police said people can call 911, the Chapel Hill Police Department at 919-968-2760 during business hours, or the UNC Police Department’s non-emergency line at 919-962-8100. Additionally, those who wish to remain anonymous can use the Chapel Hill-Carrboro-UNC CrimeStoppers hotline (919-942-7515) or website to report tips.

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