The Carrboro Police Department is seeking the suspect in an attempted rape that occurred on the Frances Shetley Bikeway, located between North Greensboro Street and Shelton Street, early Thursday morning.

Police shared a release Thursday morning saying a woman was walking her dog between 1 a.m. and 2:30 a.m. when she was attacked. The suspect is described as a Black male between 5-foot-6 and 5-foot-10, possibly around 40 years old, with a medium build and wearing a gray hoodie and dark pants. Police say the woman survived the attack and was transported to UNC Hospitals with non-life-threatening injuries. The suspect is not in custody.

Security footage released by Carrboro Police of the suspect sought in an attempted rape case along the Frances Shetley Bikeway during the early morning hours of Thursday, Oct. 9.

An update from the police department on Saturday released security video footage captured of the suspect and called for residents or building owners with home security cameras in certain neighborhoods to check their own footage between the hours of midnight at 1:30 a.m. from Oct. 9. The areas of interest are:

  • Hillsborough Road between North Greensboro Street and West Main Street
  • Pine Street
  • North Greensboro Street between Estes Drive and Hillsborough Road
  • Estes Drive between North Greensboro Street and Village Drive
  • William Street and Wilson Park
  • East Poplar Avenue between Ashe Street and Elm Street
  • Ashe Street between Carrboro Elementary School and East Poplar Avenue
  • Elm Street between East Poplar Avenue and the Frances Sheltey Bikeway

Anyone who may have more footage of the suspect, or recognizes the man, is encouraged to contact Carrboro Police at 919-918-7397 or Segreant Velazquez at 919-918-7413. Anonymous tips can be reported to the Chapel Hill-Carrboro Crime Stoppers at 919-942-7515.

The police department also warned community members to utilize caution and report any suspicious activities in the area of the bikeway, which runs close to Carrboro Elementary School. Police say the Chapel Hill-Carrboro School System has been notified of the incident.

Editor’s Note: This story was initially published on Thursday, Oct. 9 before being updated on Saturday, Oct. 11 with Carrboro Police’s call for security footage.

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