A High Point woman who had operated Chapel Hill’s license plate office since 1989 is facing a felony embezzlement charge, and Orange County motorists are facing an uncertain wait while the state looks for her replacement.

Agents for the state Division of Motor Vehicles arrested Caprina Kirkpatrick on Friday on a charge that she embezzled $4,280 in state money. On Wednesday they had shut down the office at University Mall, the only place in Orange County where car owners could get vehicle titles, license plates and registrations.

Kirkpatrick was released from the Orange County jail after posting $1,000 bond Friday.

“We will probably re-establish a license plate agency in Orange County,” DMV spokeswoman Marge Howell said Tuesday. “We will probably send out an announcement about that next week, telling people what to do if they want to apply.”

The license plate offices are operated as private businesses under contract with DMV.

Until DMV opens a new office in Chapel Hill, most Orange County car owners will have to drive to offices in Durham, Burlington or Siler City for license plates, registrations and vehicle titles.

The closest DMV license plate agencies for Orange County drivers, all open weekdays from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., are:

• 1058 W. Club Blvd., Suite 6, Durham. 919-286-4908.

• 5410 Hwy. 55, Suite AB, Durham. 919-544-3662.

• Town Hall, 311 N. 2nd Ave., Siler City. 919-742-1307.

• 85 Plaza Shopping Center, 2668 Ramada Road, Burlington. 336-228-7152.

Siceloff: 919-829-4527 or blogs.newsobserver.com/crosstown or twitter.com/Road_Worrier/