Two separate strings of crimes led the Chapel Hill Police Department to warn residents this week about taking precautions around their vehicles and mailed checks.
An alert from the town government on Friday said police are investigating vehicle break-ins happening in the northeast part of Chapel Hill around Fordham Boulevard and Weaver Dairy Road, with Police Chief Celisa Lehew saying they have received 21 reports of break-ins in February. The department is working to identify and charge the suspects while increasing patrols in the area.
“This behavior is unacceptable,” Lehew said in the release. “We will investigate and we will file charges.”
Friday’s release said most of the car break-ins took place at two hotels along Fordham Boulevard, but thieves have also targeted vehicles in the parking lots of apartments and businesses along the road. Additionally, cars have been broken into a church, an apartment complex and two homes in the area of Weaver Dairy Road.
As a result, the Chapel Hill Police Department is encouraging residents to taken precaution with their belongings and vehicles. Best practices include always locking a vehicle whenever you are leaving it, taking valuables with you, parking in well-lit areas, and installing at-home security measures.
“As we continue to investigate these crimes,” Lehew said, “it’s important that we all look out for each other. Share these tips with your loved ones, friends, and neighbors. And if you see someone breaking into vehicles, call 911 immediately and do not approach them.”
Chapel Hill Police also warned residents to take precaution if mailing checks from the U.S. Postal Service office on South Estes Drive. After receiving more than a dozen reports of stolen checks last fall, the police department has seen more 24 additional reports of mail theft from the post office’s outdoor mailbox since Jan. 1.
Lehew said that especially during tax season when people are making payments, people should try to take payments to the local tax office. On its website, the U.S. Postal Service suggests giving mail directly to your neighborhood’s mail carrier or ensuring your mail gets put into the outdoor mailboxes before the last pick-up of the day. It also recommends never sending cash or large amounts of money over check without sending it as certified or priority mail, since those methods have tracking features and occasionally require signatures.
For both check senders and recipients, Chapel Hill Police suggest confirming whether the mail has been sent or received. If a check is lost or stolen, notify the respective bank immediately and file a police report. USPS also recommends filing a report on its website.
Featured photo by the Chapel Hill Media Group.
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