Hempstead beauty supply store robbed by masked pair, cops say

The suspects wore gloves and masks that covered their faces and, police said, the two also forced a male and female employee into a basement, binding them with zip ties, before robbing the beauty supply store Tuesday evening in Hempstead.

The employees — a woman, 62, and a man, 64 — managed to free themselves and call police.

Now, Nassau County police are searching for the suspects, who investigators said stole an undisclosed amount of cash from the store register before fleeing the scene.

Police said the robbery occurred at Essence Beauty Supply on Fulton Avenue at about 7:30 p.m. The employees were not injured.

Police ask anyone with information about the robbery to call Crime Stoppers at 800-244-8477. All calls will remain confidential.

By John Valenti

john.valenti@newsday.com

John Valenti, a reporter at Newsday since 1981, has been honored nationally by the Associated Press and Society of the Silurians for investigative, enterprise and breaking news reporting, as well as column writing, and is the author of “Swee'pea,” a book about former New York playground basketball star Lloyd Daniels. Valenti is featured in the Emmy Award-winning ESPN 30-for-30 film “Big Shot.”