Armed Carjacking Jolts Chapel Hill in Overnight Incident on West Franklin Street

CHAPEL HILL, NC — Chapel Hill Police are investigating an overnight armed carjacking that sent shockwaves through the heart of downtown just after midnight Saturday morning.

According to police, officers were dispatched around 12:43 a.m. to the 100 block of West Franklin Street, a typically lively and well-traveled area near bars, restaurants, and UNC-Chapel Hill’s campus. There, they discovered that a man had stolen a vehicle at gunpoint. Fortunately, the driver was not injured during the confrontation.

Police say the suspect fled the scene in the stolen vehicle and remains at large. Investigators are working to identify and locate the individual responsible.

“We take crimes like this very seriously,” said a Chapel Hill Police spokesperson. “While the victim was not physically harmed, an armed carjacking poses an unacceptable threat to public safety.”

This latest incident adds to growing concerns about gun-related crimes and safety in downtown Chapel Hill, especially in areas frequented by students, residents, and visitors late at night.

Community Urged to Help Identify Suspect

Investigators are reviewing surveillance footage from nearby businesses. They are urging anyone who may have witnessed the carjacking or who may have security footage from the area to come forward. Tips can be shared anonymously, and information leading to an arrest may qualify for a reward of up to $2,000.

• Call Chapel Hill Police: 919-968-2760 (Monday–Friday, 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m.)
• Call 911 immediately if the suspect or stolen vehicle is spotted
• Submit an anonymous tip: chapelhillcrimestoppers.com or call 919-942-7515

The investigation remains active and no further details have been released at this time.