Hair Salon Robbed at Gunpoint in Chicago

A Great Clips in Chicago was robbed at gunpoint today, according to an employee at the hair salon. The robber entered the salon at 1235 N. Clybourn at 10:10 a.m., displayed a semiautomatic pistol and demanded cash before fleeing the scene, according to the source, who wished to have their name withheld.

The Great Clips robbery is similar to those of recent weeks in Skokie and Niles. It is unclear if the Jan. 21st robber is the same individual responsible for those that occurred in the suburban area. 

On Jan. 14, a man that is believed to have robbed least eight hair salons robbed a Hair Cuttery in the 8300 block of Golf Road at gunpoint. Prior to that, the same offender robbed two salons in Skokie, police said. 

His modus operandi: Chain hair salons located in strip malls. The suspect typically walks in, approaches the register and displays a revolver before demanding cash. In most cases, he strikes just before a store opens or closes.

"We started locking our doors on Monday,"  "We're terrified. Our customers are terrified. They know what's been going on. It's been all over the news."

Crime Stoppers has even stepped in, offering  for information leading to the arrest and filing of criminal charges against the suspect.

Skokie police officer Joe Marzigliano said the offender is most likely targeting hair salons because it's mostly a cash business.

"No doubt about it - this guy is very bold," Marzigliano said. "He's hitting a few suburbs. It's not just Skokie and Niles."

So far, the offender is suspected to have robbed hair salons in Skokie, Niles, Bensenville, Lombard, Glen Ellyn, Morton Grove and Chicago.

The suspect is described as a white male, about 6-feet-tall, 200 to 230-pounds and being anywhere from 35 to 45-years-of-age, police said.

Read previous coverage here.

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