Feb. 11 Update on the suspicious vehicle reportedly on campus last Thursday (Feb. 6):
The suspicious driver who was reported to have interacted with students on campus last week was stopped in his vehicle on campus by UNC Police and identified around 10:30 p.m. last night (Monday, Feb. 10).
This is the same subject who approached one student on Lenoir Drive as she left her residence hall at around 7:30 a.m. last Thursday (Feb. 6) and asked if she would get into the vehicle. He reportedly approached a second female student that same morning who was in her vehicle and asked her for money for gasoline (but did not attempt to persuade her into his vehicle). The students reported that the driver did not directly communicate a threat.
The subject, fitting the exact description provided by witnesses, admitted to panhandling on and around the Carolina campus. He and a female companion, who said they were homeless and living inside their vehicle, were both given an official warning regarding their behavior and will be trespassed from the entire campus if contacted again. Officers also made the individuals aware of local assistance and available resources.
The identification of this individual reflects the strong partnership between our students reporting this behavior and the UNC PD officers who were determined to identify this individual. We continue to encourage the entire Carolina community to report any and all suspicious conditions on campus by calling UNC Police at (919) 962-8100 or, in an emergency, by calling 911.
UNC Police has received two separate reports today from Carolina students indicating suspicious conditions related to a subject driving a silver-colored four-door sedan. One student reported that the vehicle approached her on Lenoir Drive as she left her residence hall at around 7:30 a.m. and asked if she would get into the vehicle. The driver was a white male, 20-30 years old, bald with a reddish-brown beard. After the student refused to get into the vehicle in question, it sped off in an unknown direction.
A second incident reportedly occurred on Stadium Drive shortly after 7:30 a.m. when the same suspect pulled his vehicle beside different female student who was in her vehicle and asked her for money for gasoline (but did not attempt to persuade her into his vehicle). After the second student refused to help, the vehicle left southbound toward Ridge Road.
The students reported that the driver did not directly communicate a threat.
Officers have been directed to investigate activity in these areas looking for further information which might help identify the suspect and/or his vehicle. Officers will also be providing additional patrols in an attempt to locate and identify the subject. If you have any information related to these incidents please contact UNC Police at 919-962-8100.