Police investigate violent nail salon armed robbery
ATLANTA - A terrifying ordeal for some customers and employees of a Buckhead Nail salon who were ambushed and robbed Friday night.
Atlanta Police said two armed men burst into Lush Nails and Spa around 7:45 p.m. with weapons drawn.
Billy Pero, the owner of Pero's Pizza and Pasta in the same complex as Lush, said businesses are working with police to help capture the two dangerous robbers.
"I heard two guys came in with guns and they hit two ladies on the head or something like that," said Pero.
The owner of Lush, who was robbed and assaulted, reiterated what was on the police report, that two armed men yelled for everyone to get down when they burst through the doors.
"They ordered everyone on the ground. They assaulted a customer and two of the employees of the store. They removed cash from the register as well as two of the customers’ purses," said Sgt. John Chafee, with the Atlanta Police Department.
The sergeant said the robbers left with more than a dozen credit cards, personal information, cash, and more.
Sgt. Chafee said when one woman didn’t drop to the ground quickly enough, one of the armed robbers hit her on the head with his pistol.
It's an unsettling scenario for Billy Pero.
"People will do anything these days you just gotta try to be safe. They don't care what time of day or anything," said Pero.
Police are searching for surveillance video from the area to try to find the armed robbers and see if they are connected to other crimes.
Pero said there have been recent car break-ins at the complex, but never anything as vicious as the strong arm robbery at Lush. His family restaurant has been at the same location nearly 50 years.
"We've all been talking about it and yeah try to help each other out and keep each other safe," said Pero.
Atlanta Police believe the two men got away in a car, but do not have a vehicle description.
Anyone with information is asked to call the Atlanta Police Department or Crime Stoppers at 404-577-TIPS. Tipsters can remain anonymous.