Two arrested, accused of robbing teens for $12 at gunpoint at SouthPark Mall

CHARLOTTE, N.C. — Two teenagers were threatened with a gun at SouthPark Mall and told they'd be killed if they didn't empty their pockets two and a half weeks ago before the sun went down.

The mother of one of those teens told Channel 9 that people need to be more cautious because “you could become a target, no matter where you are.”

She said the two boys, ages 15 and 17, parked outside of the food court and were walking into the mall to join their friends from YoungLife, which is a Christian group for students, for dinner.

The mother said the robbers stopped the boys in the parking lot with a gun and told them to empty their pockets or they'd be killed.

However, all the thieves got away with was $12 and a backpack.

Shoppers said it's not the first time they've been traumatized for nothing.

"My car’s been broken into, and they went in after a birthday present and it was bubbles and stickers, and I was like, ‘Alright, y'all just vandalized my car, broke my windshield for bubbles and stickers.’ It's silly,” shopper Renee Martini said.

Shopper Kimberly Battle told Channel 9 her wallet was stolen from her car in a shopping center across the street.

"It's terrifying,” she said. “You feel like you should be able to go out in public and not be scared to live your life. It's terrifying, You don't know what to expect at any time. You feel like no one has a real motive to do what they're doing these days."

Police said a few hours after the robbers targeted the teens at SouthPark Mall, they went to South End, where they robbed a Burger King on South Boulevard.

Police confirmed Friday that Dedric McManus and James Alexander were arrested in connection with the robberies.

(Dedric McManus, James Alexander)

"There should be a solution to handle the problem,” shopper Stanley Johnson said.

Channel 9 learned security cameras and a witness at the mall helped police find the accused robbers.

The mother said what stands out most to her about this case is how pointless the robbery was, for only $12 and a backpack.

McManus and Alexander are also facing kidnapping charges.

Channel 9 emailed police about the kidnapping charges, but officers haven’t said if anyone was held hostage.

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