Surveillance Video Captures Man Wanted In 2 Lower Manhattan Nail Salon Robberies
NEW YORK (CBSNewYork) -- Surveillance video shows the suspect casually entering a nail salon. He actually appears to be yawning. Then he turns toward the woman behind the register, puts his hand inside his pocket, tells her he has a gun and demands money.
Police say it's part of a disturbing robbery pattern that's happened twice in the last two months in the East Village and NoHo, CBS2's Scott Rapoport reported.
The first time was in April at Jay Nails on Broadway and 10th Street.
The second time was Sunday night, just a few streets over at Il Girasole Beauty Spa on East Fourth Street and Lafayette, where workers described the incident as frightening.
"Of course. The people have the gun," said one woman. "Of course, everyone scared."
In each case, the suspect told the woman behind the register he was armed, ordered her to open the register and fork over the cash, police said. But no one was hurt either time.
"The guy just walked in, asked for money and took the money and left," the manager at Il Girasole said.
Police sources told Rapoport the suspect told the women behind the register: "It's going to be all right. I'm just going to take what's here."
The suspect got $2,500 dollars from the April robbery and another $700 Sunday, Rapoport reported.
The thefts have left some customers on edge.
"It's a bit scary, yeah. It is," said one woman.
"It's strange that a nail salon would be a place to be targeted," said customer Lindsay Fineberg.
Police describe the suspect as 35 to 50 years old, about 6 feet 2 inches tall and weighing 170 to 210 pounds.
Anyone with information is asked to call the NYPD Crime Stoppers at (800) 577-TIPS, visit the Crime Stoppers website, or text tips to 274637 (CRIMES) and enter TIP577.
