Man accused of carrying skeletal remains has criminal past

A man accused of carrying a set of skeletal remains in a backpack has a criminal history of break-ins that include stealing women's clothing.

Michael Charles Dorman II, 32, of 1411 Sundown Drive in Mebane, was charged July 15 with concealing or failing to report a death.

Authorities arrested him after an unidentified informant told investigators in Orange County that Dorman told him he had killed a woman in Durham two years ago and needed help disposing of her remains.

Court records show Dorman pleaded guilty to several charges related to break-ins that happened in 2003 and 2004.

In one case, he broke into a Hillsborough restaurant. Other cases involved the homes of women.

From one victim, he took a dress, three pairs of underwear, a blanket and a pillow.

In another case, he took perfume and more clothing, including jeans, dresses, slips and camisoles.

Saying they don't want to compromise the investigation, Durham police haven't talked about the case and haven't said whether the remains have been identified.

Search warrants, however, indicate that Dorman told investigators he found the bones in Durham and was taking them to Orange County.

Durham police searched his home on the same day he was charged and seized papers, photos, a laptop computer, two cameras and a video camera, according to a search warrant.

Dorman was in the Durham County jail Wednesday under a $1 million bond.