Abduction Attempt at Va. Shopping Mall

STERLING, Va. - A Sterling, Virginia woman fought off an attacker on Monday at the Sterling Park Mall, and that attack has police putting women on alert.

The 18-year-old victim says someone tried to drag her into a car in the middle of the afternoon.

On Tuesday, FOX 5 spoke to some shoppers who say the shopping center needs a security upgrade.

The Loudoun County Sheriff's Office says the woman was attacked while walking in the rear of the Sterling Park Mall behind the big lots.

"I walk home everyday. I'm a walker. I leave at 6 pm in the pm and never had problem for three years," said one shopper.

The 18-year-old victim says someone in an SUV tried to drag her into his vehicle, but didn't succeed. Shoppers are on alert.

"It certainly concerns me. I didn't know the exact location. It said behind the shopping center. I shop here every day," said Bethany Leckemby.

The attempted abduction happened in broad daylight at 4:30 in the afternoon. Shoppers say the area is not very busy and it has many hidden areas.

Ironically, it happened right near a Loudoun Sheriff's Office satellite office in the mall. Women say the design of the parking areas has them concerned.

Stephanie Depoy says, "It's scary, my mother shops up here.

"It's strange how the stores are inlaid. It needs an uplift. They need to bulldoze and start over. "

Police say the young woman was able to fight off her attacker and he may have recent injuries to his face.

The suspect was driving an older model black SUV with full faded paint and rust spots on the passenger side.

Many women say applaud the woman's efforts to get out of a scary encounter.

"I think i would know what to do. I would be fighting him off-- screaming and hollering," said one shopper.

"If it would happen to me here, I don't know if I would know what to do. I hate to admit that," said Depoy.

Police were in the shopping center all day hoping to get a surveillance picture of the attack or the vehicle.

Deputies say the mall and surrounding businesses have a lack of cameras, so they were not able to produce any images.

Police are hoping a woman who helped the victim will come forward to help them find the suspect.