Chapel Hill Review

Town of Chapel Hill Police Department issued the following announcement on July 1.

Last night, the Chapel Hill Police Department arrested and charged 42-year-old Caleb Anthony Locklear with Assault with a Deadly Weapon Inflicting Serious Injury following a stabbing earlier this month. 

Caleb Anthony Locklear was charged with assault with a deadly weapon inflicting serious injury, according to the Chapel Hill Police Department.

Police investigators found Locklear stabbed another man around 6:15 p.m. on June 13 on the 100 block of East Franklin Street near South Columbia Street.

The man who was stabbed was treated for his injuries at a local hospital and released soon after.

Locklear was being held at the Orange County Detention Center under a $25,000 secured bond.

Police did not release any information about a possible motive, but did say that it was an isolated incident.

Business owners and customers on Franklin Street in Chapel Hill told WRAL News this month they are concerned and frustrated with an increase in crime and harassment.

"One gentleman out there literally threatened to rape one of my bartenders a few weeks ago," says Andrew Creech, bar manager of Blue Horn Lounge.

He said the issues have increased since businesses re-opened and students returned after COVID-19 lockdowns.

"Public drinking out on the street, drug use on the street, people smoking crack in front of the courthouse of all places. A lot of violent fights, aggressive behavior, people being assaulted or threatened to be assaulted, or sexually assaulted," Creech said.

Chapel Hill Mayor Pam Hemminger acknowledged the issue downtown.

"COVID really has taken a toll on everyone," Hemminger said. "We're not seeing crime as much as we are seeing, mostly it's considered harassment, and people are feeling uncomfortable. We're working on it; it takes time."

Hemming said arresting people is not a long-term answer.

"They can only be held for 24 hours, and they just come right back," she said.

Hemminger explained that the Street Outreach and Harm Reduction Program, or SOHRAD, had been effective. However, the team was funded by CARES Act money, which is near running out.

Source: https://www.facebook.com/ChapelHillPD