NEWS

Photo note: To download a composite drawing of the suspect, see end of the release.

UNC police emphasize safety tips after robbery in Hinton James lot

CHAPEL HILL -- University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill police warned the public today (Feb. 27) to stay on the alert after the robbery of a student in the lower parking lot of Hinton James Residence Hall.

No one was injured in the incident at 1:50 a.m. today, police said. The victim, a UNC student, was not injured. No weapon was used.

The victim described the robber as a light-skinned black male weighing about 160-170 pounds, with a slim build, short hair and a chiseled face. Possibly in his 20s, the man wore a dark shirt, blue jeans, a black leather coat and a black toboggan hat.

Police ask citizens with information about the incident to call either UNC police or Carrboro-Chapel Hill-UNC Crime Stoppers at 942-7515. All conversations are confidential; no one must identify themselves or appear in court.

In light of the incident, UNC Police Maj. Jeff McCracken reminded members of the campus community to observe the following safety tips:

• Be alert. Pay attention to your surroundings. Avoid areas that are isolated, dimly lit or dark. Don't walk alone at night.
• Stay in pairs or groups. Use the buddy system.
• Report suspicious activity by calling 911 or using emergency call boxes on campus.
• Use Chapel Hill Transit, now free to all passengers, and its expanded university and community service. Use the Point-to-Point express service, free to students, which follows a fixed route among posted stops.
• Use the new Safe Ride Program, offering free bus service from downtown to select off-campus locations from 10 p.m. to 3 a.m. Thursday, Friday and Saturday nights. For Safe Ride details, click here or call UNC student Anup Dashputre, program director, at 260-1711.

For additional safety information, click to www.dps.unc.edu.

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Photo note: For a composite drawing of the suspect, based on the victim's description, click to http://www.dps.unc.edu/dps/breakingnews/robbery_information02272003.htm

UNC police contact: UNC Police Maj. Jeff McCracken, 919-966-4994
News Services contact: L.J. Toler, (919) 962-8589