Investigators said Kathy Headen, 39, was approached by a man with a handgun at about 8 p.m. Wednesday while she was taking books out of the rear seat of her car at the Vance Chavis Library, the Greensboro News & Record reported Thursday.

The suspect, described as a 5-foot-4 man in his mid-30s, demanded the woman's cell phone and purse, police said.

However, Headen instead began praying and police said the man fled empty handed after she refused to lower her voice.

Police said they are searching for a suspect.