Suspect In Salon Robberies Now Charged With Murder

Posted: 6:33 pm EDT November 4, 2010
Updated: 7:13 pm EDT November 4, 2010

CLAYTON COUNTY, Ga. -- Clayton County police said an illegal immigrant is responsible for two homicides and a string of armed robberies across three metro Atlanta counties.

Artemio Hernandez, 31, is charged with murder in the death of 17-year old Monica Ambriz. Ambriz vanished during a lunch break from work on Oct. 10. Police discovered her body behind a Jonesboro office building 10 days later.

Forest Park police said they believe Hernandez is also responsible for the robbery and slaying of 61-year-old 61-year old Maria Gloria Galvan de Riveria.

Authorities said Hernandez also committed a bank robbery and held up two Henry County hair salons.

"I thought I was going to die," Dominican Hair Salon owner Judith Ventura told Channel 2 Action News reporter Richard Elliot. She said Hernandez walked into her shop, pulled out a pistol and roughed up one of her stylists.

"He grabbed me from the hair and pulled me over to the register," said stylist Gladys Kazantzis. "So I was really scared thinking he was going to kill me."

Ventura said Hernandez took what little cash she had and ran away.

Henry County police believe he robbed another salon down the street and stole one employee's ATM card. They said he threatened to come back and rape her if the PIN number she gave him was incorrect.

Chamblee police told Elliot they ended the crime spree when they arrested Hernandez on Oct. 26 while he was committing another robbery. Chief Mark Johnson said Hernandez tried to rob the Payless Shoe Source on Buford Highway but an employee was able to escape and call 911. Chamblee police arrived seconds later and made the arrest.

When Ventura heard Hernandez had been arrested, she felt relieved.

"I cried I was so relieved," she said.

Hernandez is in the DeKalb County Jail. Police said he is an illegal immigrant, and federal immigration authorities are investigating.

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