By Shavonne Walker

shavonne.walker@salisburypost.com

SALISBURY — A 16-year-old girl who was waiting for a friend in an empty restaurant parking lot early Monday was robbed by a man who hugged her and thanked her after she gave him cash.

The Salisbury Police Department said the girl was not harmed and cautioned against leaving doors unlocked while inside a vehicle.

The teenager was waiting just before 7:30 a.m. for a friend to meet her at Chick-fil-A, 902 E. Innes St., so they could eat breakfast, according to a report. Police said the restaurant was closed Monday, but the girl waited for her friend anyway.

A man approached her car and asked for a ride to Walmart, a request the teen refused. The man walked around the back of her vehicle, opened the passenger door and got inside. He told the girl he had a knife and demanded she take him to Walmart. She didm and once they were in the parking lot, he told her he needed money.

She handed him $60 in cash from her wallet. The man hugged her and thanked her for “helping him out,” police officials said.

The girl went home and told her mother what happened, and the two went to the Police Department to report the robbery. Police officials said security video at both businesses confirm the man approached the vehicle and the teen drove with him to Walmart.

Police Lt. Greg Beam advised people to never sit in an empty parking lot alone, especially with the vehicle windows down and doors unlocked. He said people should contact law enforcement immediately if someone threatens them or exhibits suspicious behavior.

He also encouraged people to pay attention to their surroundings, especially if they are sitting in a vehicle alone.