Midtech chases Midtown customer who left salon after five hours

A woman who spent five hours at a Midtown Atlanta salon left without paying for a full set of individual lashes, a manicure, and a pedicure with French tips. The bill totaled $345 after a discount from the original $375 price.

Employees at Lashes and Nails by Glow say they turned away other clients while working on the woman. Surveillance video shows her attempting to tap her card before walking out. Staff said she told them she was going to get money and would return, but she did not.

Desmond Ward, a nail technician on the floor, said the woman appeared calm throughout the long session. “She casually walked out like nothing,” Ward said. “The whole service she was the most calm client I’ve ever worked on. You wouldn’t have thought that she was getting ready to steal and deal or whatever.”

Ward followed the customer and caught up with her several blocks away near Peachtree and 12th streets. He tried to persuade her to return and pay, but the conversation became heated. Ward said he eventually gave up on the exchange and returned to the salon. “So I said, ‘Okay, not worth it,’” Ward recalled.

The woman left behind a take-home product from her lash service before exiting. The shop said she provided a name and phone number on a consent form before her lash appointment began. Atlanta News First called the number and reached voicemail.

The salon filed a police report the following day. Atlanta police confirmed they investigated a theft of services. The department said the report has not been finalized and has not located any arrests associated with the incident.