2 Chicago Teens Charged in Nail Salon Armed Robbery

Suspects, ages 13 and 14, allegedly robbed Mermaid Spa Nail Salon at gunpoint before one returned to retrieve a left-behind phone.

Mar. 17, 2026 at 12:52am

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Two teenagers, ages 13 and 14, have been charged with felonies after allegedly robbing a Pilsen nail salon in Chicago at gunpoint over the weekend. The salon's owner, Nereida Aparicio, said the teens accused her of being racist before one tried to grab cash from the register. When Aparicio fought back, the suspect pulled out a knife and revealed a gun. The teens fled, but one returned to retrieve a cellphone left behind, smashing the front door in the process. Security camera footage and witness accounts helped police quickly identify and arrest the suspects, who are also accused of attempting to rob other nearby businesses.

Why it matters

Robberies and violent crimes involving minors are an ongoing concern in many urban areas, raising questions about juvenile justice, crime prevention, and community safety. This incident highlights the vulnerability of small businesses, especially those owned by immigrants and minorities, to such crimes.

The details

According to the salon owner, the two teenage suspects, ages 13 and 14, entered the Mermaid Spa Nail Salon as Aparicio was closing up for the day. One of the teens asked for change, and when Aparicio refused, they accused her of being racist. When Aparicio opened the register to get change, one of the teens tried to grab the cash and run. Aparicio fought back, but the suspect then pulled out a knife and lifted his sweater to reveal a gun. The teens then fled the scene, but one returned shortly after to retrieve a cellphone he had left behind, smashing the front door in the process. Witnesses tried to hold the teen back, but he was determined to retrieve the phone. Although the salon's security cameras were not working at the time, the owners say photos of the teens returning to the scene helped police quickly identify and arrest the suspects, who are also accused of attempting to rob other nearby businesses.

  • The robbery happened on Saturday evening.
  • The teen suspect returned to the scene shortly after the initial robbery to retrieve a left-behind cellphone.
  • The two suspects were arrested the same day and appeared in court on Monday.

The players

Nereida Aparicio

The owner of Mermaid Spa Nail Salon, who was present during the armed robbery.

Rubi Carmona

The daughter of the salon owner, who witnessed the teen suspect returning to the scene to retrieve his cellphone.

The two teenage suspects

Two boys, ages 13 and 14, who were charged with felonies for the armed robbery of the nail salon.

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What they’re saying

“It was really fast everything and I was scared.”

— Nereida Aparicio, Salon Owner (fox32chicago.com)

“When he pushed me, he hurt my hands.”

— Nereida Aparicio, Salon Owner (fox32chicago.com)

“Outside witnesses were trying to hold him back and he was just so adamant about getting back his phone.”

— Rubi Carmona, Salon Owner's Daughter (fox32chicago.com)

What’s next

The judge will decide on Tuesday whether to allow the two teenage suspects to be released on bail.

The takeaway

This incident underscores the ongoing challenges of juvenile crime and the vulnerability of small businesses, especially those owned by immigrants and minorities, to such acts of violence. It raises important questions about crime prevention, community safety, and the juvenile justice system.