UNC Warns of Vehicle Break-Ins at SECU Family House, Friday Center Park and Ride

A string of vehicle break-ins reported at two university properties in Chapel Hill led UNC Police to alert the public on Wednesday afternoon.

A message through the university’s AlertCarolina system said campus police are investigating break-ins reported at the SECU Family House — which offers alternative lodging for UNC Hospital patients and their families off Old Mason Farm Road — and the Friday Center park and ride parking lot off Raleigh Road. The alert said the most recent break-ins were reported at between 1 and 2 p.m., with UNC’s Crime Log that tracks 911 saying an additional report for the Friday Center was made on June 25.

Wednesday’s message said an investigation into the break-ins is ongoing, but no further information — including whether they are connected — is being made available.

With the rash of crimes, the UNC Police Department is encouraging those who use those facilities and other campus parking lots to follow good practices for safety. Drivers are urged to always lock their vehicles and keep windows rolled up when they are not around, and not to leave any valuable items visible in the vehicle. Additionally, if a car has an alarm system, UNC Police recommend making sure it is active when leaving the vehicle. Concerned drivers can also try to park in public, well-lit locations where the vehicle can be easily seen by others.

Anyone with information regarding the break-ins at SECU Family House or the Friday Center park and ride is encouraged to call 911 or the UNC Police Department on the non-emergency assistance line (919-962-8100). If you see anyone acting suspiciously around vehicles or parking lots, you are encouraged to report it to the appropriate authorities by calling 911.

Featured photo by the Chapel Hill Media Group.

Chapelboro.com does not charge subscription fees, and you can directly support our efforts in local journalism here. Want more of what you see on Chapelboro? Let us bring free local news and community information to you by signing up for our newsletter.

‹

Suspect in Professor’s Shooting at North Carolina University Bought Gun, Went to Range, Warrants Say

Written by THE ASSOCIATED PRESS A University of North Carolina graduate student charged with fatally shooting his faculty adviser on campus five months ago had visited a gun range the day before the professor was killed and had bought a pistol, according to information from federal search warrants. Tailei Qi, 35, was arrested in a residential area […]

Top Stories of 2023: UNC Campus Locks Down, Rallies Together After Gun Violence

One week into the new academic year, a shooting and subsequent lockdown on UNC's campus changed the tenor of the rest of the fall semester.

Students Criticize the University of North Carolina's Response to an Active Shooter Emergency

Written by HANNAH SCHOENBAUM As sirens blared across the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill and cell phones lit up with alerts of an active shooter, Micah Baldonado cried quietly at his desk while his teacher proceeded with the lecture. “I know there’s no right way to react, but I just lost it,” he […]

UNC's Community Grapples with Loss, Trauma from Monday's Shooting through Vigils and Rally

The UNC community is sharing a wide range of emotions, ranging from grief to frustration over the fatal shooting of one of its faculty.

UNC: Campus Given 'All Clear' After Armed and Dangerous Person Reported on Campus

LATEST UPDATE: UNC says one faculty member was fatally shot on Monday. Click here for details. UPDATE: UNC authorities issued an Alert Carolina at 4:14 p.m. saying the campus is being given an all clear following the incident. No word yet was shared on the person of interest’s status. The university encouraged everyone to avoid […]

UNC Police: Suspect in Mason Farm Road Shooting Now Caught

UPDATE: The UNC Police Department said it has arrested and charged a suspect in the shooting off Mason Farm Road earlier in April. An Alert Carolina shared with the campus community on Tuesday that authorities had located and apprehended the suspect earlier in the day. 28-year-old Ronnell Canion was arrested Durham County before being transferred […]

Shots Fired from Passing Vehicles on UNC's Campus Damages Third Car

The UNC Police Department is investigating a report of gunshots between passengers of two different, moving vehicles on the university’s campus. An Alert Carolina message sent out to the UNC community Sunday night said the department was alerted of gunshots on South Road as two vehicles traveled the street just before 7 p.m. According to […]

UNC Police: 'Multiple' Scooter, Bike Thefts on Reported Campus in October

At least seven reports of stolen e-scooters, bicycles, and e-bikes in the month of October led UNC Police to issue a campus-wide alert.

UNC Marks 2 Years Since Zijie Yan's Fatal Shooting With Memorial Bench Dedication and Lecture

UNC leaders and the applied physical sciences department held a memorial event Thursday for the two-year anniversary of Zijie Yan's death.

UNC Warns of Vehicle Break-Ins at SECU Family House, Friday Center Park and Ride

A string of vehicle break-ins reported at two university properties in Chapel Hill led UNC Police to alert the public on Wednesday afternoon.

›