Man wanted after officials said he assaulted girlfriend for not participating in crime

The Orange County Sheriff’s Office is looking for a suspect who reportedly pistol whipped his girlfriend Friday morning when she refused to participate in a breaking and entering of a residence in western Orange County.

Deputies said the attempted breaking and entering was at a residence near Mebane Oaks Road. Officials said the suspect fled on foot after the assault. The woman went to a nearby residence shortly after 11 a.m. on Friday, asking for help.

The 27-year-old woman had injuries to her face and head and bruising on her arm, officials said. She said she and Alexander Wayne Gillett, 26, received a ride to the area Thursday night after Gillett told her they were going to camp out and hunt coyotes. She said Gillett told her of his plans and, when she declined to participate, an argument ensued and he hit her several times with a silver handgun. He also damaged her phone by submerging it in water.

Deputies and investigators surrounded the areas and used a K-9 unit and drone to try to find Gillett.

Authorities now believe Gillett is still in the area, possibly in the vicinity of Brachenmere Trace, west of NC Highway 54 in Alamance County.

Deputies said Gillett is 6-foot-0 with a last known address in Greensboro. He was wearing a black beanie, a gray jacket with a hood, gray pants and camouflage knee-length boots. His hair is short in the back and long in the front.

Gillett is also wanted in Guilford County on multiple charges including second-degree burglary, safecracking, second-degree kidnapping and assault by strangulation.

“I would like to take this opportunity to remind people to be cautious about the material they post on social media platforms," Orange County Sheriff Charles Blackwood said. "The suspect in this case saw valuable items listed for sale on Facebook. He searched for an address associated with the seller’s name and arrived at a very specific target. I encourage people to avoid such risks.”

Anyone with any information about Gillett or his whereabouts is asked to call Investigator Dylan Hendricks at (919) 245-2951.