TOWSON, Md. (WBFF) — Concerns about crime around Towson Town Center are growing after an armed carjacking in a parking garage near Macy’s over the weekend, as shoppers and residents question whether safety issues are contributing to a wave of store closures and vacancies inside the mall.
Baltimore County police said the carjacking happened at about 3:30 Saturday afternoon in the garage next to Macy’s. A victim reported that two known individuals pointed weapons at him as he walked to his car, then took his vehicle. Investigators said they have identified the suspects and are working to obtain warrants for their arrest.
The incident comes as the mall faces significant turnover. Inside Towson Town Center on Monday, our cameras caught images of shuttered storefronts, closed gates and darkened windows marked spaces where businesses once operated. Stores that have closed include Banana Republic and Louis Vuitton, among others. The Apple Store and Stoney River Steakhouse have also announced upcoming closures in June. The mall has around 40 vacancies, about 26% of storefronts.
Shoppers said the changes are difficult to watch.
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“I’m a kind of hurt about that mall because that was a nice mall when it was really open and thriving and I used to come up here all the time and I live in the city,” said Ms. Jackie, a concerned shopper.
After learning about the armed carjacking, she added, “I mean, really, I mean it’s kind of bad, really.”
Residents said the latest report fits a pattern of violent incidents in and around Towson Town Center in recent months. Kathleen McGuigan, a Towson resident, said she avoids the area at night.
“I think that crime is keeping people away once the sun goes down. I mean, at least I can speak for myself. And I don’t go there and I don’t let my teenage kids go there,” McGuigan said.
Recent incidents include a violent fight last Monday involving middle school-aged students just blocks from the mall, with five students facing second-degree assault charges. In November, a juvenile was stabbed and robbed inside the mall; Baltimore County police said the teen was cut with a screwdriver, and four teenagers were arrested.
Some shoppers pointed to broader retail trends as a factor in the mall’s vacancies. “It could just be the traffic. People really aren’t shopping in stores as often anymore,” said Joey.
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Baltimore County Councilman Mike Ertel represents Towson. FOX45 News pressed him for answers Monday over constituents’ concerns. He responded to our questions in an email, saying in part, “Malls everywhere in Maryland are losing some retailers,” and added that the “continued popularity of online shopping” is also a driving force.
Regarding a crime plan, Ertel said–without being specific–there is “new crime fighting technology in place” and the use of enforcement tools such as “increased traffic stops.” He also said almost all of the “perception of crime at the mall” tends to be driven by teenagers, and said he is looking to state and judicial partners to develop a more stringent system to hold juveniles accountable. He also referred to “perceived” crime at the mall as predominantly shoplifting rather than violent crime.
Even so, residents and shoppers said the armed carjacking and other recent incidents have intensified concerns about safety in and around Towson Town Center.
Follow FOX45 reporter Keith Daniels on X and Facebook. Send tips to Kdaniels@sbgtv.com.
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