Police have a composite of the man they say committed nine robberies in Durham, two in Chapel Hill, and one in west Raleigh just since last Wednesday.
One of the first robberies happened at Springfield Apartments. A woman leaving her car, headed for her apartment, was greeted by a shotgun in the face.
Most of the robberies have happened in relatively upscale, southwest Durham apartment complexes.
"We're concentrating on these problems," says Capt. Dwight Pettiford. "We are aware that this is something that's terrorizing the public. We want to assure the public that protection in this neighborhood will be increased, and that officers will be alert for any suspicious subject.
"But we also enlist the aid, again, of the community to come forth and help us when they find somebody that's suspicious," Pettiford says.
Police want people to watch out when they're in parking lots. They're also asking people to call 911 if they see anything suspicious in an apartment complex, or anywhere in the Triangle right now.
Officials suggest residents report any broken lights in apartment complex parking lots.
Authorities say it is possible that the robberies are related to a string of similar crimes several weeks ago; one suspected gunman was arrested for those crimes.
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