Orange County Authorities Searching for Man Who Injured Girlfriend After Refusal to Break-And-Enter

****UPDATE: Orange County Sheriff’s Office shared a release on Sunday saying authorities in Guilford County spotted Gillett and engaged with him in a foot chase. The release says authorities are still searching for him.****

The Orange County Sheriff’s Office announced it is looking for a suspect who reportedly pistol whipped his girlfriend Friday morning when she refused to participate in breaking and entering a residence in western Orange County near Mebane Oaks Road.

The office released details about the event in a release Friday evening. A 27-year-old female and her boyfriend, 26-year-old Alexander Wayne Gillett, received a ride to the Hillsborough area Thursday night after Gillett said the two would camp out and hunt for coyotes. The release said in the morning, Gillett told the victim of his plans to break into a home. He said he saw on Facebook there were valuable items inside the home.

The release said when the victim refused to participate in the breaking and entering, an argument ensued. He hit her several times with a silver handgun with a black handle. He also damaged her phone by submerging it in water. He then fled on foot, while the victim went to a residence in the Scotland Road neighborhood and asked for help. The release said the victim arrived shortly after 11 a.m. with injuries to her face and head.

The Orange County Sheriff’s Office describes Gillett as a six foot tall white male with a last known address in Greensboro. He was wearing a black beanie, a gray jacket with a hood, gray pants, and camouflage knee-length boots. The office says he should be considered armed and dangerous. His hair is short in the back and long in the front, a style sometimes called a reverse mullet. The release provided a photo of Gillett in January of 2019, saying it is a reasonable likeness except for the hair style.

Deputies and investigators searched the surrounding areas extensively, assisted by a K-9 unit and a drone. Although Orange County Sheriff’s Office says it does not believe Gillett is still in the vicinity, they advise caution.

In addition to charges expected in connection with today’s events, Gillett is wanted in Guilford County on multiple charges including second degree burglary, safecracking, second degree kidnapping, and assault by strangulation.

Orange County Sheriff Charles Blackwood urged anyone who sees Gillett to call 911 immediately and not approach him.

“I would like to take this opportunity to remind people to be cautious about the material they post on social media platforms,” Blackwood added in the release. “The suspect in this case saw valuable items listed for sale on Facebook. He searched for an address associated with the seller’s name and arrived at a very specific target. I encourage people to avoid such risks.”

 The Orange County Sheriff’s Office encourages anyone with any information about Gillett or his whereabouts to call Investigator Dylan Hendricks at (919) 245-2951.

Photos via the Orange County Sheriff’s Office.