LETTERS

Editor,

On Aug. 11, 2010, I was sitting in my shop, the Kut-n-Kurl Salon, minding my own business when my world was turned upside down.

It was the scariest moment of my life. I was talking to my hair dresser on the phone about 10:30 a.m. when I saw these two people, a man and a woman, coming up the sidewalk toward my shop, and I hung up the phone just as they walked in.

They looked like ordinary people you would meet on the street. The woman looked around the shop and then asked, “Can I get a hair cut?”

I said, “Sure,” and got up to go toward my station.

Then the man said, “Open the register and give us your money.”

I thought he was teasing and started to joke back with him, but then I saw the gun and I knew it was for real.

I had to open the register from underneath because the key to open it with was inside the register. He grabbed my arm and I looked him right in the eye and said, “This is the only way to open the cash drawer.”

I thought my life was over when he grabbed my arm, but he allowed me to continue opening the cash drawer and I realized I had not put money in it to start the day.

I got the safe key out and went to open the safe with them following me. The money was laying on top, so I got it and closed the safe. They opened the safe back up and took the money bag and a white envelope that I put an old license in years ago. They also took my purse.

The couple told me to go back to the chair. The woman tied my hands behind my back and tied my feet. The man came around and checked the right arm but didn't check the left. Then they pushed me to the back of the salon. He pulled a book case around in beside me. I turned and saw them go out the front door. I immediately started trying to get loose and I was able to pull my left arm loose. I think my watch got in the way as they were tying up my left arm and the bindings weren’t as tight as on my right arm. I hopped up to desk, with my feet still tied together, and called 911.

The thing I noticed about the man was his dyed hair and beard. It was so black. I didn't recognize them as Casslyn Welch and John McLuskey until about 24 hours later. Then I called the U.S. Marshals and told them I was 99 percent sure that it was indeed the fugitives who robbed me.

I was so scared that day that I couldn’t even think clearly. It has been a year and I am gradually getting over the robbery, but I will never be able to forget it.

I am not happy that Welch and McLuskey haven’t been charged forrobbing me at gun point. They have admitted several times to robbing me. I know I am probably being impatient, but I would like to see them charged for what they did.

I want everyone in the community to know I would not have gotten through the aftermath of this terrifying experience without their prayers.

Thank you so much.

Joyce Cook Gentry