Shopper Robbed At Birkdale Village

The Christmas spirit vanished in a flash Saturday evening for a woman shopping in Birkdale Village, off Sam Furr Road in Huntersville, when she was grabbed from behind and robbed.

The victim was walking to her car in a parking deck when she was attacked. She said there were plenty of people at the shopping center, but she didn’t see anyone in the garage when she walked to her car until a man grabbed her and put a knife to her cheek.

Huntersville Police Capt. Michael Kee said the woman was cut on her cheek, and that she told police the robber was dressed all in black, wearing a black ski mask.

“She remembered his right hand, he reached around her and put it to her left cheek and demanded her money. She complied and gave him the money,” Kee said.

Maria Pelucio, shopping in Birkdale Village, was surprised to hear about the attack.

“That’s incredible, because there are usually so many people here on Saturday,” she said.

Police said the attack is the first of its kind in the shopping center.

No security cameras were visible in the parking deck, and the company that manages the shopping center refused to comment on its security plans.

Anyone with information about this crime is asked to call Huntersville Police at 704-875-6542.