Durham carjackings, robberies appear to target Hispanic women

The Durham Police Department is investigating a series of robberies and carjackings targeting Hispanic women.

Three carjackings and an armed robbery occurred between Sept. 3 and Sept. 12 at a bus stop, an apartment complex and in the parking lots of businesses.

No injuries were reported.

Bernice Malagon, the communications specialist for El Centro Hispano, an organization serving the Hispanc community in the Triangle, said one of her coworkers was one of the women who was robbed.

"Last week someone smashed the car window of one of our staff members," Malagon said. "Just in the parking lot outside one of our offices in Durham."

Durham police released a timeline of the incidents in Durham:

• Sept. 3: At 12:12 p.m., a victim reported being robbed at gunpoint of cash and personal belongings while at a bus stop in the 4000 block of Meriwether Drive.
• Sept. 10: At 5:50 p.m., a victim reported her vehicle being stolen at gunpoint in the parking lot of a shopping center in the 6000 block of Fayetteville Road.
• Sept. 10: At 7:10 p.m., a victim reported her vehicle being stolen by force in the parking lot of a business in the 2000 block of North Roxboro St.
• Sept. 12: At 5:50 p.m., a victim reported her vehicle stolen at gunpoint at an apartment complex in the 4000 block of Meriwether Drive.
• Sept. 12: At 7:50 p.m., a victim reported her vehicle stolen at gunpoint in the parking lot of a business in the 3000 block of North Roxboro St.

The victims described the suspects as two or three "thin-framed" men wearing ski masks.

According to Malagon, several factors are making Hispanic women the target of the crimes, such as being less likely to report crimes due to concerns about language barriers or their immigration status.

Some are also target for their cash.

"Some in our Hispanic community members receive their salaries in cash, so they probably had more cash in their pockets."

Malagon said it's crucial for Hispanic women to be aware of what's happening and to stay vigilant.

"Ask someone around you, one of your colleagues, to walk with you," Malagon said. "Call someone to tell them that you're walking. Share your location."

El Centro Hispano encourages Hispanic women to reach out for help through the process of reporting, adding their website can help people find additional information.

Anyone with information about these incidents is asked to call Investigator T. Blake at 919-560-4440, ext. 29282, or Investigator A. Osborne at 919-560-4440, ext. 29241. You can also call Crime Stoppers at 919-683-1200.