An NBC Charlotte Defenders investigation is revealing the number of crimes at the most popular malls in Charlotte in the midst of the holidays.
The NBC Charlotte Defenders team looked at all crimes within 1,000 feet of the malls over the past six months.
Police say criminals are looking for someone who is distracted; it only takes a couple seconds for them to strike.
The NBC Charlotte Defenders team reviewed the Charlotte Mecklenburg Police Department’s crime mapping data for the most popular malls. The investigation found Northlake Mall and SouthPark Mall had the highest number of crimes of the four malls looked at.
Carolina Place and Charlotte Premium Outlets had the lowest crime in the list.
Crime mapping data shows SouthPark Mall had the most non-violent crimes with 50 thefts and more than 160 shoplifting cases in the past six months.
Police say they often seen an uptick in those types of crime around this time of year.
As far as violent crimes, SouthPark had two robberies and five assaults over the six month period. There was a significantly higher number at Northlake Mall, with six robberies and 11 assaults.
Carolina Place had three fraud cases, but no violent crimes. Charlotte Premium Outlets had no crimes within the parameters of our investigation.
Police say if you have to shop at nighttime, it’s better to shop with someone.
When you pull into a parking lot, look for a well-lit space. Police also say that cell phones can be a major distraction that make shoppers vulnerable to thieves.
NBC Charlotte tried to look into criminal activity for Concord Mills as well, but there was no equivalent way of gathering data from CMPD crime mapping, as the mall is located in Cabarrus County.