GASTONIA, N.C. — Gastonia police filled part of the lot at the Eastridge Mall Monday morning.
Police said a woman reported a man grabbing her by the neck, stealing credit cards, cash, her ID, keys and phone about 8:30 a.m. Monday. He then punched her in the face before leaving the scene.
Area residents and shoppers were horrified to hear what had happened.
"That's pretty early, that's really shocking," Mario Jackson said. "It sounds like somebody was just hanging out waiting for a victim. That's not right.”
"I work in this area,” Bethany Pitts said. “I want to be able to go outside, see people, things like that and not have to worry."
This is not the first time the mall has been targeted during the holiday season.
Last year, three stores at Eastridge Mall were robbed.
Police are investigating whether this robbery might be connected to another one at a nearby Bed, Bath & Beyond Monday, and a high-speed chase in the city that ended with the arrest of two suspects.
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Cox Media Group
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