An odd case in Chapel Hill earlier this week, as a mugger robbed a man of 160 dollars at knifepoint – but ended up giving all the money back.

The incident took place at 12:30 Tuesday morning, near the intersection of Columbia and Caldwell Streets in the Northside neighborhood.

“A gentleman was walking in that area, and someone approached him and pulled a knife and demanded his money,” says Chapel Hill Police Sgt. Bryan Walker. “When he gave the person the money, the suspect began to run away – and the victim chased him as he called 911.

“The suspect stopped, gave him his money back, and then left the scene.”

Sgt. Walker says it’s a good thing that everything ended well in this case – though in general, it’s probably not the best idea to chase after an armed robber.

“We certainly wouldn’t encourage anyone else in that situation to handle it the same way that this victim did – we wouldn’t suggest that someone chase a suspect that has just threatened you with a weapon,” Walker says. “But in this case, it didn’t result in a terrible outcome.”

The would-be victim who chased after the mugger is a 35-year-old Northside resident.

Related Stories
‹
Chapel Hill Police Investigating Second Armed Robbery of Weekend
Chapel Hill Police are asking for public assistance in locating and apprehending a suspect in connection with a robbery Saturday afternoon. This is the second reported robbery of the weekend in Chapel Hill. Police said the second incident occurred in the area of Kensington Trace Condominiums around 12:20 p.m. The suspect and victim had arranged […]
Alleged Drunk Driver with Cocaine in Stolen Vehicle Arrested in Chapel Hill
A car chase in Chapel Hill on January 14 led to a felony arrest of a Virginia resident and the seizure of nearly half a gram of cocaine by law enforcement officers. According to Capt. Joshua Mecimore, a public affairs officer with the Chapel Police Department, the chase started when emergency dispatchers were notified of […]
"Safety Is Our Highest Priority": Police Chiefs React To Fatal Attack
The chiefs of police at UNC and Chapel Hill issued a joint statement reaffirming their commitment to public safety.
New UNC Police Chief Aims to 'Make Campus Proud' of Department 
With students coming back to campus and the first week of classes commencing, newly hired UNC chief of police Brian James says he is excited to build community trust and keep the school safe this semester.
Chapel Hill Police Seek Man Accused of Repeated Thefts at Ulta Beauty Store
The Chapel Hill Police Department is asking the public to help identify a man tied to numerous larcenies at a local beauty store. The suspect, depicted in the picture below, is wanted for multiple thefts from the Ulta Beauty store at 1800 E. Franklin Street in Chapel Hill. He was recently seen leaving the store in […]
Carrboro Police Investigating Reported Armed Robbery
Carrboro Police are continuing an investigation into a reported armed robbery near Carrboro Plaza late last week. An incident report shows that a suspect pointed a gun at the victim “demanding money, and then keeping her in the car.” Documents show the victim was robbed of $40. The incident took place in the parking lot […]
Police Investigating Fake Tickets Sold for UNC - Clemson Football Game
There has been a lot of excitement surrounding UNC football this season, and it appears some scammers took advantage of that before the Tar Heels hosted the top-ranked Clemson Tigers on Saturday in Kenan Stadium. UNC Police are investigating 12 incidents involving 14 victims claiming to have been sold fraudulent tickets to the sold-out contest, […]
Chapel Hill Police Make Arrest in Sexual Assault Case
Chapel Hill Police arrested a 46-year-old man in connection with a sexual assault that occurred earlier this month in the parking deck of an apartment complex. Authorities said Vernon Lamont Reed was arrested Monday and charged with first-degree forcible rape, robbery with a dangerous weapon, assault with a deadly weapon inflicting serious injury and kidnapping. […]
Chapel Hill Police Asking for Help Locating Sexual Assault Suspect
Chapel Hill Police have released surveillance video from the night of the alleged sexual assault. Police are asking for public assistance in identifying the man seen in the video below. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sZMbIP7QYUQ&feature=youtu.be Chapel Hill Police are investigating an alleged sexual assault that occurred early Friday morning. Authorities said that the assault took place in the […]
1 Arrested in Carrboro on Armed Robbery, Kidnapping Charges
One suspect has been arrested after a victim was forced at gunpoint to withdraw money from an ATM in Carrboro in June, according to law enforcement. Police records show 26-year-old Tyrone Jackson Jr., of Burlington, was arrested on August 6 by Carrboro Police and charged with one count of robbery with a dangerous weapon and […]
›