Police ask for public's help after armed robbery near Lakeline Mall Copyright by KXAN - All rights reserved Copyright by KXAN - All rights reserved The suspect seen entering the HomeGoods (Austin Police Department) Armed robbery near Lakeline Mall The suspect seen entering the HomeGoods (Austin Police Department) prev next

AUSTIN (KXAN) -- Hollie Vining is taking care of some holiday shopping.

"Christmas gifts, secret Santa gifts, decorations."

In the same plaza as HomeGoods, which police say was robbed Wednesday night.

"It's scary, this seems like a pretty populated area," says shopper Carey Olson.

Investigators say at around 8:20 p.m., the suspect entered the HomeGoods store at 10900 Lakeline Mall Dr. with a gun, and demanded cash. Police say the suspect hit an employee in the head with that handgun. Officers say no matter what happens in a robbery, cooperate.

"We certainly discourage people from trying to intervene, the best thing they can do is call 911 and give the best description they can give and to move away from that area," says Sgt. TJ Vineyard with the Austin Police Department.

Shoppers say the robbery has made them a little more cautious.

"Make me realize my surroundings a little bit more, definitely since it gets darker earlier, just kind of be aware," says shopper Hollie Vining.

But they won't let any criminals change their routine.

"Even with all of the shootings that are going on, I feel like you can't be afraid, you have to live your life," says Carey.

The suspect was described as a white male, about 6-foot tall and 180 pounds. He was last seen wearing a black hooded sweatshirt, a camouflage mask over his face, black pants and black shoes, police say.

The suspect fled the scene shortly after entering the store. Authorities were unable to find the suspect in a search of the area.

Anyone with information on the robbery can contact the APD Robbery Unit at 512-974-5270 and reference case #2015-3361664.

Police are seeing more robberies in northwest Austin. Crime reports for the first 10 months of the year show 44 robberies in that part of town. That's up more than 40%-percent from the same period last year.