As the summer continues, so does a recurring problem for vehicle owners in Chapel Hill: car break-ins.

The Chapel Hill Police Department said after receiving 13 reports of breaking and entering into vehicles last week, the town has surpassed 300 reports of such incidents in the calendar year. It represents a notable increase compared to 2022, according to police, where 181 breaking and entering reports were made at this point.

Police also said at one of the reporting properties — 425 Hillsborough Street, which is the Union Chapel Hill apartment complex — there were 45 cars broken into. In that case, at least one person was arrested on July 6: 18-year-old Simone Cameron of Durham. Cameron faces a felony charge of possession of stolen goods, three counts of contributing to the delinquency of a minor, and two counts of conspiracy to commit a felony.

Beyond the break-ins at Union Chapel Hill, a police department spokesperson confirmed that other locations reporting car break-ins were 612 Hillsborough Street, 400 Edisto Court, 700 Saluda Court, 201 South Elliott Road, 105 West Stinson Street, 1000 Novus Lane, 713 North Columbia Street, and 148 Kingsbury Drive.

Out of the 300 reports so far this year, police say 200 have the same thing in common: thieves broke into unlocked vehicles. Among the tips Chapel Hill Police Department suggests residents follow is locking their cars whenever away from them and either removing or hiding valuable items.

Police arrested a quartet of people in late June on charges of breaking into vehicles. In addition to the arrest made on July 6, the department said investigators are continuing to try and identify suspects in the various break-in cases.

Chapel Hill Police encourage anyone with information on recent break-ins to contact the department directly (919-968-2760) or call 911. Anonymous tips and information can be given over the Chapel Hill-Carrboro-UNC CrimeStoppers hotline (919-942-7515) or CrimeStoppers website.

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