CMPD: Robber targets women dining at uptown Charlotte restaurant

CHARLOTTE, N.C. — The Charlotte-Mecklenburg Police Department is investigating after officers said two women were robbed at a restaurant in uptown Charlotte Thursday night.

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Police said the women were robbed while sitting outside at McCormick & Schmick's on South Tryon Street around 9:15 p.m.

Officers said a man approached a group of women and pulled on one of their purses.

“She pulled back and wouldn’t allow him to take the purse. At that moment, he grabbed a cellphone out of her hand and also out of one of her friend’s hands and took off running,” CMPD Lt. Bret Balamucki said.

Police said the women weren’t hurt, and the suspect took off down 4th Street toward Church Street.

Police were checking surveillance cameras on the street and at several businesses but, so far, haven’t found anything that would help them identify him.

“That’s terrifying. Terrifying and scary,” Monica Henderson, who works in uptown, said. “During the day, I feel very safe. But at night uptown you have to be aware of your surroundings.”

Police said those kinds of robberies are rare uptown.

For all of the crowds in town last weekend for the NBA All-Star Game, there wasn’t a single robbery like the one Thursday night. It’s the first robbery of its kind in 2019 and has officers’ full attention.

“Even the one that happened last night is too many to have, but we feel good that we're not seeing any pattern that would alarm people,” Balamucki said.

Cox Media Group