She strikes again ‘Pretty shoplifter’ escapes after getting salon services

CEBU, Philippines - A female minor who has been previously apprehended for allegedly shoplifting at a mall in Mandaue City was reported again to police, this time, for allegedly not paying the services of a salon in Cebu City last week.

Vernel Christy Sigvathsen, 29, owner of Nails and Cocktails Salon located at Raintree Mall in Barangay Capitol Site, Cebu City, filed a report at the Fuente Police Station against the girl for failing to pay P2,680 salon services she had availed.

In a copy of the affidavit filed by Sigvathsen, she narrated that the girl, previously described in news  reports as pretty, came to her salon at around 6:30 p.m. last December 4.

Sigvathsen personally attended to the needs of the client since all her personnel were handling other clients. She also bought her coffee and paid for her communication load.

According to her, the minor even identified herself and told her that her family has poultry and metal works businesses in Balamban. She also claimed she was driving a mid-size four-wheel car. The two of them also exchanged numbers.

Sigvathsen added that the minor made a good impression on her since she acted innocent and charming.

“She was so accommodating, friendly and classy,” said Sigvathsen.

Among the services the minor availed included hair color that amounted to P1,250, hair highlights for P800, eyelash extension for P450, manicure for P80, and pedicure for P100.

Sigvathsen had to leave the girl at past 11 p.m. When the staff asked for the payment, the girl told them that she had to leave for awhile to withdraw cash at a nearby automated teller machine, saying she did not have enough money that time.

The girl even left one of her bags in the salon and went outside at around 12:30 a.m. 30 minutes have passed, but she did not return to the salon.

One of Sigvathsen’s staff asked the security guard, who informed them that he noticed a lady came out of the building and hurriedly flagged down a taxi.

Sigvathsen contacted the girl through text message but the latter just kept on making false promises and excuses.

When Sigvathsen posted the incident and the photos of the minor on her Facebook account, she learned that it was the same girl who was also reported for not paying almost P10,000 worth of items at a boutique shop in a mall in Mandaue City four months ago.

Ironically, Sigvathsen has posted a blog about the minor when she was previously reported in the news, but failed to recognize her when she went to her salon.

The minor was also previously accused of not paying P9,000 she owed to two women before they went to a disco club. In another case, she reportedly failed to pay for the car she rented.

Chief Inspector Wildemar Tiu, chief of Fuente Police Station, said they matched the photos taken by Sigvathsen to the minor’s pictures published in the newspapers last August and found they were the same person.

The minor remains at large. Sigvathsen said she will pursue filing an estafa case this afternoon even if the minor wanted to settle the matter with her.

“I don’t think she will stop until she suffers from the consequences of her actions. This behavior will be progressive. It will become worse if she will not stop. This will also create awareness among other businesses,” she stated.

Sigvathsen added that a resort owner contacted her for the same issue against the minor who allegedly spent two days in the resort, but did not also pay. — (FREEMAN)