It happened Wednesday around 8:50 p.m. in the parking lot of the popular shopping area. And what we've learned is that security officers had him, and let him go.
The officers saw a man trying to ditch his shirt and cap in a potted plant. They told him he couldn't do that and escorted him outside the store. What they didn't know is he had just tried to rob one of their customers in the parking garage.
"And that she got near her door, a male came up from behind her and grabbed her," Lt. Steve Gorski said. "A short struggle ensued."
When another customer walked into the garage, police think it spooked the man, and he ran off without the purse.
But when he ran back into Nordstrom, the surveillance cameras got a good shot of him. Police are hoping someone will recognize him and give them a call.
"That's super scary cause that happened to my friend I think a year ago, she was walking out of the half yearly sale last year," Hannah Blake said.
The Walnut Creek resident says her friend was robbed of her purse in the same parking lot.
Then there was a break-in at the Macy's in December when someone broke the glass and stole thousands of dollars worth of jewelry.
Police say they consider robberies at Broadway Plaza a rare occurrence.
"That area is covered by security cameras, it's pretty well lit, there is a security patrol that goes by the area regularly, so it's a safe area," Lt. Gorski said.
Some customers, however, found the news unsettling.
"Yeah, I am surprised, because I don't really think of Walnut Creek as an area that's a high crime area," Erika Odell said. "But, you know, you do periodically hear of the banks and things, so I think you just have to be vigilant wherever you are."
Blake added, "I think it's so scary cause we all think it's so safe down here, and that kind of stuff happens, we just have to be cautious."
And police say some tips include being aware of your surroundings when you're in one of these garages, maybe walk out with a crowd of people, or even ask a security officer to escort you.
The attempted robbery suspect is described as an 18-year-old Hispanic male, 5'4" tall with short dark hair, wearing a baseball cap and a black and white zip up hooded sweatshirt.
If you recognize the subject or have any information please call the Walnut Creek Police Department at (925) 943-5844.
