UNC police investigating 15 car break-ins since Tuesday

The UNC Police Department is investigating a series of car break-ins this week.

According to the police, 15 car break-ins happened on Tuesday across multiple locations on or near the University of North Carolina at Chapel campus.

In some cases, broken glass from shattered windows remained in the parking lot the next day.

The break-ins included:

• Williamson Lot, S-11 Lot
• Ambulatory Care Center
• McLean Center (Rizzo Center)
• Ronald McDonald and SECU House
• Craig North Parking Deck

Erin Sadler, who works on UNC's campus, said most students leave things in their cars in between classes.

"Prior to this, I did feel comfortable leaving things in my car, but now I don't want to leave anything valuable in my car," Sadler said. "I'm definitely going to lock it up or bring it inside with me."

Sadler said Tuesday's break-ins were not the first to happen around UNC in October either.

"Last week, early in the morning, there were three cars that wer broken into," she said.

UNC police said the investigation is ongoing.

This is not the first group of break-ins that have happened in the Triangle over the last few months.

Car break-ins hit dozens of people in Raleigh and Durham in July. In one string of break-ins, more than 30 cars were targeted.

The break-ins are up from last year too, according to Raleigh Police Chief Estella Patterson. Raleigh has seen 501 vehicle thefts from July through September, which a 46% increase from the same time-span in 2022.

With a college campus that sees a lot of foot traffic, some students want security further tightened.

"I wish there was more surveillance around this area," said Anna Rutledge, a student at UNC. "This lot is used frequently by students and employees at the hospital."

A sentiment that Sadler shared.

"It's definitely concerning that there were so many recently," she said. "You would think there will be cameras out here, but they definitely are not."

UNC police are encouraging the following safety tips:

• Always lock your car and keep the windows rolled up when you are not with your vehicles.
• Don't leave any valuable items in the car where they can be seen. Either store them in a storage in the vehicle or take them with you when you leave the car.
• If your car has an alarm system, make sure it is set and active when you leave your vehicle.
• Try to park in a public place where you car can easily be seen by those passing by.
• Report suspicious individuals and activity to appropriate authorities, such as UNC Police.

In addition, UNC Police said they will be patrolling parking lots around the campus throughout the day and at night.