HICKORY — A teenager was held at gunpoint at Valley Hills Mall in Hickory on Tuesday night, forced to drive to an ATM and withdraw money.
Victim Rubi Sandoval spoke to reporter Dave Faherty about the ordeal she went through Tuesday night.
Sandoval said she tried to stay calm.
"All I was thinking was I could die today. I didn't think of anything. I did not refuse or anything," Sandoval said.
The 18-year-old said she was in the parking deck outside of Belks when the robber approached her asking if she had a boyfriend. He then pulled out a gun and ordered her to drive him to an ATM. During the robbery, Sandoval said she kept talking to him hoping he would not hurt her.
"I was trying to calm him down and everything because I knew he had a gun. I tried talking my way out of it and it really worked," Sandoval said.
Police said about 30 minutes after the incident, a similar armed robbery happened at Hickory Corners Shopping Center.
They believe the cases, which were only a short distance apart, were committed by the same person. Sandoval said the robber gave her a kiss before running off with her money. She did not fight back because of the gun.
"I'm just grateful that I'm OK. I don't care about that money anymore. I'm just happy I'm alive today," Sandoval said.
Police said they are in contact with other law enforcement agencies trying to ID the gunman. They are also stepping up patrols at shopping areas in southeast Hickory.
WSOC
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