Instagram photos help police ID women accused of stealing more than $12,000 in hair from SW Houston store

HOUSTON (KTRK) -- Four women are charged after allegedly stealing more than $12,000 worth of hair from a specialty store in southwest Houston.

According to court documents, the women stole the hair from Mr. Indian Hair in the 4800 block of Almeda Road.

"They just grabbed all the hangers like this on display," Mr. Indian Hair owner Kenlin Farooq said.

At Mr. Indian Hair, the inventory is about half of what was out September 16, when more than 50 bundles of hair were stolen in full view of security cameras by four women.

"Each young lady grabbed a whole lock of hair and just that quick, 67 pieces of hair, are were gone," Farooq said.

Police said the suspects entered in waves.

Police say Gayle Quoquisia, 27, entered first and reportedly began asking a store employee questions about some of the hair available for sale. Officials said Sherrell Hadnot entered soon after and began to pace around the shop before leaving and then coming back inside. After Hadnot entered for the second time, Alisa Renee Flannagan and Jameisha Elaine Kennon allegedly joined them.

Police said Hadnot stood close to the store employee while the other three looked around. One of the suspects asked for a different kind of hair, so the employee went to a back storage room in search of it. Court documents state that the employee then heard the women "violently shaking the store hangers," so she locked herself inside the storage room while the suspects allegedly snatched bundles of hair from their display hangers and ran outside with them, fleeing the scene in a white car.

According to investigators, the suspects stole a total of 70 bundles of hair with a combined value of $12,150.

Farooq called police but says the leads came from elsewhere. He says people started telling him, "'There's women in the neighborhood selling hair for a third of the price, and they're saying it's Mr. Indian Hair.'"

And then he says there were also Instagram pictures offering the same stolen hair for sale -- with phone numbers attached.

"That is what's so amazing. I think this might make the dumbest criminal, too," Farooq said.

Quoquisia, 27, was arrested and charged with organized retail theft, as was Hadnot. Flannagan and Kennon remain at large.

Back at Mr. Indian Hair, more security measures are planned.

"I know people have to feed their families but this isn't the wjjjy to do it," Farooq said.

Police said this isn't the suspects' first time engaging in organized retail theft. Court documents state that investigators found similar reports in which the same getaway vehicle was used.

At least one of the suspects is also on probation for stealing jeans last year.

Quoquisia was in jail with bond set at $25,000.

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