A violent robbery outside the Marshalls department store in Riverhead has left the community on edge.

It happened in the parking lot Monday night, as holiday shoppers were finishing up last-minute purchases.

According to Riverhead Town Police, a male suspect targeted a woman, dragging her to the ground between two parked vehicles. The thief stole $500 from the victim’s pocket and attempted to take her wallet as well.

"It's very frightening. I’ve lived here for over 11 years, and I can’t believe something like this would happen," said Maysha Thompson McDonald of Riverhead.

Another shopper, Zuhre Ozdemir, of Manorville, expressed similar shock.

"I usually come here with my kids, my husband. We do our shopping here. So I’m very surprised," she said.

Investigators say the thief ran away after a bystander intervened. Riverhead police responded, deploying K9 units to search for the suspect, but the man remains at large. Authorities describe the suspect as a light-skinned, younger male with an average build, wearing a dark-colored hooded jacket.

The suspect is believed to have run toward Old Country Road but has not been seen since the robbery.

The victim was not injured.

Anyone with information about the incident is asked to contact Riverhead Town Police.