The woman is a legit Republican volunteer, however that fact that she went to her friend's home, then cam back with him to the same ATM later, and from there called police is quite odd. I think she was likely attacked, and that the guy likely hit her because she was for McCain. But I am suspicious of the "B". It is just so over the top. What mugger on a high-traffic street would take the time to do that, and how could he make the "B" so clean while she would no doubt have been struggling to get away?
I didn't read it that way. I read it that the friend called the police, and then they led the responding officer to the ATM. From the story:
...The friend called police and the officer met them on Cypress Street in Bloomfield, police said.
Todd's friend offered to drive her back in the direction she came from to look at ATMs until she found the right one, police said. A police officer followed until Todd pointed out a Citizens Bank ATM at Liberty and Pearl, police said.
If a huge 6’4 guy stuck a knife in my face and threatened me with it, I probably wouldn’t move a muscle. Might not even breathe.