Hillsborough police request the public's help to investigate car break-ins

Contact: Detective Chip White, Criminal Investigations Division of the Hillsborough Police Department, 732-9381 Ext. 37

The Hillsborough Police Department is investigating 10 motor vehicle break-ins at apartment complexes in Southern Hillsborough.

The incidents occurred between March 19 and April 21 at Ashford Lakes Apartment Homes on Churton Street and Coachwood Apartments on Cheshire Drive. The property theft exceeds $4,000, with damages of more than $8,000. The incidents also have resulted in credit card fraud in Hillsborough, Durham and Raleigh.

The Police Department has obtained surveillance footage of two suspects and their vehicle and is requesting the public’s assistance in identifying the suspects. Snapshots of the footage may be viewed on the Town of Hillsborough’s Web site, www.ci.hillsborough.nc.us, and on its government access channel, available on Time Warner Cable Channel 18.

One suspect is a white man about 5 feet 6 inches to 5 feet 10 inches tall and weighing 155 to 180 pounds. He has a tattoo on the right side of his neck. The second suspect is a white woman about 5 feet 4 inches to 5 feet 8 inches tall and weighing 140 to 160 pounds. She has light/medium color hair. The suspects’ vehicle is a gold minivan, possibly a Plymouth or Chrysler.

If you have any information, please contact Detective Chip White by phone at 732-9381 Ext. 37 or by e-mail at police.reports@hpdnc.org. For an immediate police response, call 911.

Last Fridays in Hillsborough starting up again

Hillsborough residents gear up for Last Fridays which take place August through September in downtown Hillsborough and attract crowds from near and far.

“Last Fridays is something we do as a family during the warmer months,” said David Irvin, a 42-year-old Hillsborough resident. “It’s one of the great things about living here, seeing your friends and neighbors while enjoying some great music.”

Elizabeth Read, the Executive Director of the Alliance for Historic Hillsborough said that she has seen the event grow exponentially over the years.

“This will be our 12th season of Last Fridays and I remember at the first one there were only 100 or so people, but now it is in the thousands,” said Read.

Last Fridays take place over a four-block area around the King Street and Churton Street intersection. The event features live music, an art walk, vendors, and other community activities.

The Hillsborough Art Council sponsors the free concert series and the art walk. Armand Lenchek and Bluesology featuring Will McFarlane will be the headlining musical act.

Local restaurants feature take-out menus so that attendees may eat and socialize out on the lawn.

Weaver Street Market has a band playing on their lawn during last Fridays as well. John Howie and the Sweethearts will be April’s performer.

The town will also hold a pie contest with “celebrity” judges such as Mayor Tom Stevens.

The flavor of the month is chocolate and after the best chocolate pie is awarded, slices will be available for sale as a fundraiser.

Hillsborough Presbyterian Church will sponsor the Decatur Streets Dixie Land Band in front of their church on East Tyron Street.

A live wax museum will take place at the Orange County Historical Museum from 6 p.m. to 9 p.m. and students from Grady Brown Elementary School will be dressed as famous historical characters and attempt to be as still as possible for observation.

“Last Fridays is one of my favorite parts of living in this town,” said Jim Stuart of Hillsborough. “I have never seen another town consistently put on something so great.”

Hillsborough police altered accreditation records

Records tied to the accreditation of the Hillsborough Police Department were improperly backdated to demonstrate compliance with various standards, Town Manager Eric Peterson said Thursday.