Woman Assaulted, Robbed in Parking Deck at South Park Mall in Broad Daylight

From WBTV by Alex Giles, April 20, 2017

Police are investigating after a woman was reportedly assaulted and robbed in the parking deck at South Park Mall.

The incident happened around 2 p.m. Wednesday, April 19, 2017 in the parking deck outside Nordstrom. The victim, a 56-year-old woman, said a man hit her in the face and stole multiple items.

“I’m at the mall at two o’clock in the afternoon, going to my car, and I’m just blindsided.I was literally sucker-punched,” explained the woman.

According to the police report, the items that were stolen, including a diamond ring, car keys, purse and sunglasses, were worth several thousand dollars.

The woman said she never saw the attack coming.

“I saw people getting into their cars as I was approaching my car. I was totally aware of my surroundings and this came out of nowhere. There was nothing I could have done to prevent it,” said the woman.

Police said the robber then left in another vehicle toward Barclay Downs Drive.

No description of the robber has been released.

South Park management released this statement Thursday regarding the incident:

 The safety of our guests and mall employees is always our top priority. We continue to work proactively to ensure a safe and secure shopping environment at SouthPark.  SouthPark has a close working relationship with the Charlotte-Mecklenburg Police Department and we collectively employ visible and behind-the-scenes security measures, including a 24-hour active patrol of the center and surrounding parking lots, use of CCTV, use of Segways and escorts to vehicles upon request.

The victim still has scratches and bruises from the incident. She said she is lucky to be alive, but is worried about her personal safety now.

“It’s scary as Hell that this is what’s happening and that you can’t feel safe. I can’t feel safe going to the mall.”

To see a video report about this incident use the link below:

http://www.wbtv.com/story/35194369/woman-assaulted-robbed-in-parking-deck-at-south-park-mall

African-American Man Charged with Fire, Hate Crime Blamed on “White America” at Charlotte Store

Information and Photographs from twcnews.com, April 7, 2017

Charlotte-Mecklenburg police have made an arrest in the case of a storefront being set on fire last week in east Charlotte.

Police say 32-year-old Curtis Flournoy, an African-American, has been charged with burning a building of trade, malicious damage by use of an incendiary material, felony breaking and entering, ethnic intimidation and anonymous or threatening letters.

The fire, which was contained mostly to the front door, happened Thursday at Central Market on Albemarle Road, which is owned by a refugee and immigrant from Bhutan. A rock was also thrown through a glass door panel.

A note left by the door read: “We need to get rid of Muslims, Indians and all immigrants.” It was signed “White America.”

The owner of the store, Kamal Dhimal, said he feels more secure now that a suspect is behind bars and he’s impressed by how quickly police worked.

“Yes, I’m surprised because he might be to blame. Anyhow, the police did it. CMPD… did a great job and I love their activities,” said Dhimal.

Dhimal also said some good things have come from the incident. He said someone left flowers at the front door as a show of support.

He hopes to reopen the store soon.