Police Arrest 2 Men In Connection With Towson Town Armed Robbery
TOWSON, Md. (WJZ) -- The crime shocked holiday shoppers -- a violent armed robbery and a struggle with security guards in the middle of Towson Town Center. Now, police arrest two men.
Meghan McCorkell explains how the suspects were tracked down.
Investigators say those two suspects targeted a man inside the mall bathroom. Now they are behind bars.
It's a crime that still has shoppers at Towson Town Center on edge.
"I was surprised because I didn't expect that," said shopper Marisa Morris.
Investigators say Malik Smith, 17, and Damon King, 20, robbed a shopper at knifepoint inside the men's bathroom at the mall last month.
The victim chased the two men through the mall, pinning one of them against a wall. When security came to help, the other alleged robber returned and flashed what appeared to be a gun.
The two men then ran away.
But investigators say as the suspects fled, one of them left behind a vital clue.
"As the suspects fled through the mall, one of them dropped his personal cell phone. That phone was recovered by officers. And when they analyzed the phone, they were able to identify the suspect," said Cpl. Cathy Batton, Baltimore County Police.
Those who work at the mall say the brazen robbery has had an impact.
"The amount of customers. Like, people are almost more hesitant to shop, especially late at night," said Lucas Walton, who works at the mall.
Some tell WJZ they are being cautious.
"In the mall, you'd like to think because of the security and everything in there, you don't think stuff like that happens. You think you're more vulnerable to that outside on the street," said Jennifer Arbaiza.
"It's terrible. But what can you do besides try and stay in crowded areas, things like that. Just be a little self aware," said Harry Metz.
Both King and Smith are being held without bond.
Investigators say they did find the gun used in the crime. They discovered it was a pellet gun.
King and Smith have been indicted on armed robbery, assault and weapons charges.
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