Memphis police report that two men wearing ski masks killed a male employee during an armed robbery at the ‘Bundles of Hair’ store in the Whitehaven neighborhood of South Memphis after stealing a box of hair weave.
While police had not yet identified the victim, family members confirmed the man killed was Willie Abston, who was the manager of the store.
According to police, two men dressed in black and wearing ski masks entered the shop around 4 p.m. on Wednesday, February 10th. Shots were reportedly exchanged between the suspects and someone in the store. When police arrived, the male employee was dead on the scene.
One of the suspects may have been injured during the incident. Police said one of the suspects may have also left a shoe behind as they fled. They were last seen leaving the scene in a small blue car. No arrests have yet been made as detectives continue to investigate the deadly armed robbery.
Unfortunately, this is not an isolated incident. In another unrelated story, an 18-year-old woman from Memphis was charged just one day prior after police said she shot and killed a man and his pregnant girlfriend during a weave-related heist. It is alleged that Shelby Isaac, along with her suspected accomplice, Victoria Seay, were involved in an armed robbery at the VirginHair4US hair shop in Memphis with bundles of hair — valued at up to $250 each — serving as the motive.
Human hair is a lucrative business. While the price varies according to the length and type, hair like the Brazilian can start at $149 and can run much higher. The remy, virgin hair, can sell for $100 a pack. Remy hair has intact cuticles and looks more like real hair. Virgin hair has not been processed by dyes or harsh chemicals. On the street, these hair bundles may sell for $40 to $50. Hair weaves and extensions are also being sold online at sites including Amazon, eBay and Craigslist.
Because this type of hair product is virtually untraceable it’s particularly attractive to thieves, and is increasingly becoming a target of organized retail crime operations.