Recent reports of suspicious activity around public trails near Umstead Drive and Pritchard Avenue Extension in Chapel Hill are causing law enforcement to ramp up their patrol in the area.
A release from the Town of Chapel Hill on Friday detailed three incidents in the last month where Chapel Hill Police investigators are looking into their similarities — especially after the report of an unknown male subject touching a woman without her consent while she was running on the Bolin Creek Trail. Police said that incident was reported at 3:40 p.m. on Friday, Nov. 7 where the trail is close to Pritchard Avenue Extension — sharing a photograph of the man in Friday’s release and asking for anyone with information on the suspect to get in touch. The picture shows a person wearing a black hoodie with the hood up, grey sweatpants and black or grey Crocs.
The two other incidents police flagged in the area: one on Thursday, Oct. 23 around 12 p.m. when a woman running on Tanyard Branch Trail reported being concerned about a man pacing on the trail, and another on Wednesday, Nov. 12 when two women walking between Umstead Park and Village Drive reported a man following them. Friday’s alert said all men were wearing dark clothing, and a town spokesperson confirmed all of the incidents involved different women. As a result, police will increase patrols of officers both in the area of the roads and on the two trails.
Chapel Hill Police encouraged anyone with information about these incidents or others to call 911 or contact the police department directly at 919-968-2760 during business hours. Callers who wish to remain anonymous can contact the Chapel Hill-Carrboro-UNC CrimeStoppers at 919-942-7515 or visit their website. Chapel Hill Police said a cash reward may be provided for CrimeStoppers tips that lead to an arrest…