Surveillance video: Trio of women attacked, pepper sprayed Value Beauty employee in brazen robbery
MILWAUKEE -- A brazen beauty store robbery in Milwaukee was all caught on camera. Surveillance video showed three suspects attacked and pepper sprayed Value Beauty employees during the wild theft near Fond du Lac and Hampton Avenues Saturday, April 18.
It started with one female crouching behind the Value Beauty counter, taking items off the wall. Another appeared to be the lookout. She was seen in the video pulling something out of her pocket as an employee carrying a box began to approach.
Value Beauty robbery on Fond du Lac and Hampton Avenues
The woman aimed and sprayed a cloud of what investigators said was pepper spray directly into the employee's face to buy more time. Back behind the counter, another person climbed over, knocking down mannequin heads on her way up. The hair snatching got more intense before the trio ran for the exit.
Value Beauty robbery on Fond du Lac and Hampton Avenues
Value Beauty robbery on Fond du Lac and Hampton Avenues
Jesus Gonzalez
"When the girls are coming, I try to stop them right here," said Jesus Gonzalez, employee
Gonzalez tried to step in.
"That's when she attacked me. She sprayed the pepper spray in my face. She scratched my face too," said Gonzalez.
Value Beauty robbery on Fond du Lac and Hampton Avenues
One by one, Gonzalez tried to stop the three suspects, scuffling with the last one on her way out.
"My face burned like, very bad, like, so bad," said Gonzalez.
Value Beauty robbery on Fond du Lac and Hampton Avenues
Value Beauty robbery on Fond du Lac and Hampton Avenues
Shaherah Edwards
Store officials said the women made off with $1,000 worth of hair weaves. Gonzalez said the heist was fast.
"We couldn't do anything when she sprayed my face," said Gonzalez.
Investigators were only able to identify one of the brazen thieves. Prosecutors said Shaherah Edwards admitted to having a pepper spray-like substance and throwing the can at Gonzalez, who was still shaken by the encounter when FOX6 spoke with him Wednesday, May 29, more than a month later.
"Nervous sometimes. Something like this would never happen before," said Gonzalez.
The store was shut down for a little bit after the incident.
Edwards was expected to appear in court on June 6 for a preliminary hearing -- out on $3,000 signature bond.
Police were working to identify the other women involved.
Value Beauty robbery on Fond du Lac and Hampton Avenues