Durham Police Asking for Information on Robberies

Durham police investigators are asking for information about two robberies that occurred late Wednesday and early Thursday at apartment complexes in western Durham. In both cases, the suspects pretended to be law enforcement officers.

The first robbery was reported at 11:08 p.m. Wednesday at Duke Villa Apartments, 1505 Duke University Road. Three males were approached by a man driving a dark-colored sedan similar to a Honda Civic or Accord. The man, who was wearing a badge on a chain around his neck, told the males that they matched the description of some shooting suspects and then patted them down. The male took the victims' wallets and fled in the sedan, which was occupied by three or four additional suspects.

The second robbery was reported at 12:46 a.m. on Thursday in the parking lot of Duke Manor Apartments at 311 South LaSalle Street. The victims told officers that two males pulled up in a dark-colored sedan similar to a Honda Accord and put a green light on the roof. They told the two victims to get out of their vehicle and to put their hands on the hood so they could be patted down for weapons. The suspects took items from the victims, removed the green light from the roof of the vehicle and fled the scene with the headlights off. A third suspect stayed inside the vehicle the entire time. One suspect was described as a black male, 20 to 30 years old, 5 feet 8 inches to 5 feet 10 inches tall and 165 to 175 pounds. He had shoulder-length cornrows and was wearing a white shirt and black pants. The second suspect was described as a black male with short hair. The male who remained in the vehicle was wearing a dark shirt resembling a security uniform.

Police are also investigating an incident that happened last month at an apartment complex in the 1300 block of Juniper Street. Two males in a dark blue Honda Accord pulled up next to the victim around 2:30 a.m. on September 22. The passenger got out, identified himself as a police officer and asked for the victim's identification. He then pointed a gun at the victim and demanded his wallet. The suspect was described as a heavyset black male wearing a black T-shirt and blue jeans.

Anyone with information on the robberies is asked to call Investigator A.J. Simmons at 560-1020, ext. 226 or CrimeStoppers at 683-1200. CrimeStoppers pays cash rewards for information leading to arrests in felony cases and callers never have to identify themselves.