Texarkana businesses burglarized
By: Jade Cunningham
Updated: February 8, 2013
Three businesses, all in the Summerhill Square Shopping Center, were broken into either late Wednesday night or early Thursday morning.
The shops include two hair salons (The Studio and Two's Company) and a consignment store (Paper Dolls).
In all, more than $12,000 worth of equipment and merchandise were taken from the three stores.
When the salons' owner, Kathy Guest, found out that her store had been broken into, she panicked.
"It's kind of surreal," Guest says. "You don't really expect someone to come and do this to the salon."
However nothing could prepare her for the damage she'd see.
"I would describe it as two tsunamis that had gone through the building. Things were stolen, my safe was taken, a lot of supplies and some of the stylists tools that they use."
Even though items are broken and/or missing, Guest says the burglary was strange.
"They didn't know the salon business very well. They picked up all of our business books from the last two years, but then they would leave a thousand dollar pair of shears on the ground."
"While the owners of the businesses involved in the burglaries are continuing to pick up the pieces, businesses in the surrounding area are doing what they can so it doesn't happen to them."
Owner of Julie's Deli and Market, Julie Furlow, says security cameras, alarm systems, and other things are being installed.
"It makes you ask, 'What do I need to be doing to make it safer?"
Extra security is also patrolling the area.
"The Texarkana, Texas Police Department have stepped up their surveillance around here, and that makes us feel better when you see them driving through the parking lot."
But still, Gayles' sales associate, Leanne Maynard, says stores aren't taking any chances.
"We're taking a few extra precautions, so for anyone wanting to come and take advantage of us, beware."
If you have any information, you're encouraged to call the Texarkana Crimestoppers at 903-793-STOP.


