Newport News, Va. - 25-year-old Alexis Marie Johnson is charged with assault and battery and larceny after pushing a Newport News nail salon owner while trying to skip out on paying, according to a criminal complaint filed in court.
"I fell back and I kind of hit my head on the wall. And, then she jumps in her car, rolls down her window and she says don't bother getting my plates because it's not registered,” explained Ann Reynolds, owner of Ann’s Nails Plus.
It happened September 3rd.
Reynolds says Johnson and her two young children came into the salon.
First, she says, Johnson's daughter got her finger and toenails polished.
Then, Reynolds says Johnson called someone to pick up the kids before she got a pedicure, manicure and her eyebrows waxed.
"I didn't think anything of it. I just thought maybe they're small kids, they're not going to sit long," said Reynolds.
When it came time to pay, Reynolds says Johnson's credit card declined. So, she asked Johnson to leave her cell phone or jewelry while she ran to get the cash. Reynolds says she even told Johnson she would follow her to the ATM.
"I just felt like I had to ask her for something more than just her word,” said Reynolds.
Reynolds opened the salon about a year ago, and she says, losing nearly $80 is tough on a small business.
"That's quite a bit of money to lose off of one customer especially since I actually turned away a couple customers because I was busy with her," said Reynolds.