YORK COUNTY, S.C. -- A Rock Hill woman claims she was sitting in her vehicle in the Newport Walmart parking lot when two men pulled their car directly in front of her and turned on their high beams to blind her, before jumping out and trying to pry open her doors.
The woman sped off and said she was so shaken and frightened, she left the state to be with family.
A friend of the victim posted a warning about it on Facebook which quickly went viral, leading some to think it was a hoax.
But after Rock Hill police began investigating, they now believe the story is legitimate -- and they’re very concerned about it.
“Someone turned on their high beams and she looked up and she can't really see anything,” the victim’s friend told NBC Charlotte. She asked her identity to remain protected for her safety.
“And then of a sudden, she heard two men on both sides of her car, the passenger and the driver side," she said. "As she was pulling away they were still trying to get in her car they were wearing hoodies and they had the hoodie part down past their eyes. Thankfully she locked her doors. It was just too close to home and I wanted people to be aware."
"Who knows what would’ve happened if they had gotten her car and she didn’t lock the doors?”
RHPD's public information officer Mark Bollinger said the victim decided not to call 911 at the time. But their investigation has led them to believe her story is legitimate.
Rock Hill police have now launched an investigation.
“It could’ve been someone trying to entice her to get out of the car,” Bollinger said.
That’s what investigators are working to determine.
“If you ever feel like you’re in an unsafe situation, don’t think you’re bothering us,” Bollinger asked of the public. “That’s what we’re here for, we’re here to help.”
Bollinger said especially during the holiday season and particularly after this incident, people should avoid sitting in their cars, especially alone, and when distracted.
If anything suspicious does happen, or if you feel as though someone is trying to tempt you out of your vehicle, always call 911.
“Stay in your car and call us or leave that spot,” Bollinger said. “If the car starts to follow you, go to the nearest police agency.”
At this point, police do not have a suspect or vehicle description. They are working to gather surveillance video from the Walmart parking lot.
If you know or witnessed anything, please call Crime Stoppers at 1-877-409-4321.