Robbers bind, gag Hawthorne clerk, steal $9,000 in hair extensions

Three people robbed a Hawthorne store Tuesday of more than $9,000 worth of hair extensions after binding and gagging a clerk, authorities said.

A woman was working alone at Baby Doll Human Hair at about 11:15 a.m. when a man and woman knocked on a locked security screen door, police said. Believing they were customers, she buzzed them into the store at 3300 West Rosecrans Ave.

As the woman looked around, the man pulled out a handgun and pointed it at the store clerk. He then jumped over the counter and bound her wrists and ankles with duct tape, and covered her mouth and eyes. He then dragged her into a supply closet.

A third suspect entered the store and helped remove the hair extensions, along with a little more than $700 in cash, police said. Once they had fled, the victim was able to call police from her cellphone.

The male suspect with a gun was described as black, about 25 years old, 6 feet tall and having black hair and a goatee. He was wearing a blue and white sweat shirt, light blue jeans and a blue and white hat.

The female suspect was described as black, about 25 years old, with black hair tied in two braids. She was wearing a sweat shirt over a black shirt, black sunglasses and a black and red hat.

The second male suspect, also black, was wearing a white T-shirt, jeans and black tennis shoes, police said.

Anyone with information was asked to call Hawthorne police detectives at (310) 349-2820.

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