TAMPA, Fla. — Tampa police are searching for two suspects accused of robbing a nail salon employee at gunpoint early Saturday morning.
The armed robbery occurred at L.V. Nails and Spa on Hillsborough Avenue, leaving customers and nearby business owners shaken by the incident.
WATCH: 'That's scary:' Customers shocked after Tampa nail salon employee robbed at gunpoint
When customer Adely Cruz arrived for her 3 p.m. appointment, she was met with locked doors.
"That's scary, I was just about to be here," Cruz said.
Cruz said she was relieved she wasn't there during the robbery but felt heartbroken for the employees.
"I'm just glad I wasn't here for that, of course, and I'll keep them in my prayers because that's crazy. It's crazy," Cruz said.
The salon had recently reopened under a new name, making the timing particularly unfortunate for the business.
"It's very sad that it just happened to them when they've been trying to get off of their feet and remodel everything," long-time customer Isis Lamphier said.
According to Tampa Police, two armed suspects assaulted an employee, took cash and ran eastbound. The suspects are described as two men wearing brown hoodies, jeans and face masks. One suspect is about 5-foot-5 inches tall.
Police say the suspects remain at large.
Lamphier, who has been a customer for nearly five years, said nothing like this has ever happened in the area before.
"This is a very safe area, but there is high traffic here," Lamphier said.
After learning about the robbery, she came by to check on the staff.
"I wanted to make sure that they were all okay," she said. "They're very nice, they treat you like family here."
Tampa Police are asking anyone with information about the crime to call them at 813.231.6130 and refer to report 26-74497.
Share Your Story with Annette
Annette Gutierrez knows safety is important for every community. She’s focused on finding solutions and getting results for both crime and our roads. She takes pride in sharing stories from Sarasota and Manatee counties, so send Annette tips on how she can help.
.
Jeffrey Epstein’s surprising Tampa Bay ties: Politicians, private flights and local victims
I-Team Investigator Adam Walser and photojournalist Randy Wright have been digging through the Epstein archive, where typing "Tampa" returns 1,296 hits. What emerges is disturbing, bizarre and, occasionally, downright weird.
