A man threatened a woman with a knife and robbed her in broad daylight in the JC Penny's parking lot at the Fashion Valley Mall Monday afternoon.
The San Diego Police Department said the suspect approached the woman from behind in the lot on the 7000 block of Friars Road just after 2 p.m. and demanded her wallet and car keys.
When she turned to face the man, he held a knife to her throat.
The woman gave up her belongings and the suspect fled in her car, a white 2017 Nissan Sentra. The victim told NBC 7 over the phone that she first thought the suspect may have been her brother playing a joke.
It wasn't until she turned around and felt the blade on her neck that she knew the situation was very serious.
The suspect was described as in his 30s, 5 feet 7 inches tall, 175 pounds, and was wearing a black t-shirt and blue jeans.
A shopper told NBC 7 the daylight carjacking scared her and made her uneasy about walking the mall alone.
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"It's scary," London Merx said. "I'm single and to be alone even when walking and it gets dusk you know someone can come out of nowhere and just stab me?"
Other shoppers told NBC 7 they would be more alert while shopping after hearing about the crime. Some said they'd be more alert while walking alone, and others said they would wear the purse differently to deter snatch-and-grabs, or not walk with their phone out.
No other information was available.
