HICKORY, N.C. -- Two women were punched and robbed at gunpoint in Hickory along U.S. 70 in the shopping district. Now, police are making extra efforts to ensure shoppers’ safety.

The latest robbery happened this weekend. A similar attack happened a half-mile away last week.

While police aren’t saying for sure whether the attacks are connected, the robberies share similarities and a close proximity. Both women were attacked at night and both were punched in the face before their belongings were stolen, police said.

Neither woman was seriously hurt, but both are shaken.

"All I could think about was, ‘Am I going to live to see my kids again?’" said Kristen Punch, who was robbed this weekend.

Punch, who has three young children, showed Eyewitness News where a man in a hooded sweatshirt jumped her before stealing money and pictures of her children.

“It was real quick. It was like there was no tomorrow -- quick. They put the gun here to my head and right here in my side,” she said.

Kristen Tumbleson, who was attacked last week, said the story is familiar. The man who robbed her took her work apron and the tips she had earned.

“He just jumped out of the bushes. He appeared out of nowhere,” she said.

Both women said they are now being more cautious. Police said they’ve stepped up patrols along U.S. 70.

Officers said anyone with information about the robberies should call 828-324-2060.