EDINA, Minn. (WCCO) – Police say a woman was robbed at gunpoint in the parking lot outside Southdale Mall Tuesday evening.
According to police, the robbery happened at about 8:30 p.m.
Police described the suspect as a 6-foot-tall black male weighing about 200 pounds. He was seen wearing a black sport coat, a black fedora-style hat, sunglasses, black gloves and a plaid scarf.
Authorities said the suspect may have been driving a dark, four-door sedan.
News of the armed robbery took many shoppers by surprise.
Jodi Sticha said she shops at Southdale regularly and doesn’t think twice.
“It just seems like such a great area and you don’t expect to see that here,” she said.
Others — even long-time Edina residents have a different take when it comes to public safety.
“It does not surprise me at all, no,” said Dave Langholz, who has lived in Edina since 1960. “The economic situation probably makes people a little more desperate.”
“I guess nothing surprises me at this point, if people are going to want to steal something, they’re going to steal something,” said Joe Stradcutter.
While Southdale Center said these kinds of incidents are extremely rare, they say they do post common precautions to remind shoppers to be safe: park in a well-lit area, know where your car is, have your keys out and hide your valuables.
“I don’t leave things out because that’s temptation for people, that’d be stupid on my part if I were going to do that,” Langholz said.
“I’m not too concerned about it, but, you never know,” said Stradcutter.
As for crime at Southdale, according to the Edina Police Department’s website, there have been 10 shop lifting incidents, one case of stolen personal property and one stolen purse in the last three months.
At nearby Ridgedale Center and Eden Prairie Center, officials say they are already on heightened awareness during the holiday rush.
Anyone with any information about the armed robbery at Southdale is asked to contact Edina Police at 952-826-1600.
