Chattanooga couple arrested in connection with tanning salon robbery

A Chattanooga couple has been arrested in connection with a tanning salon robbery that netted about $145.

Tina Downs and John Tibbals have been charged with aggravated robbery after being arrested at their home at 404 Somerville Ave., said Chattanooga police spokeswoman Sgt. Jerri Weary.

They were arrested in connection with the robbery Thursday evening of North Shore Tan, located at 21 N. Market St. Weary said.

After officers arrived at the business about 8:30 p.m., employee Emily Byers told police she was behind the counter when a man and a woman entered. The man told her that they were going to rob her and produced a knife, she told police.

He grabbed her cell phone and cut the power to the cash register, which caused the drawer to open, Weary said. The woman, meanwhile, grabbed Byers' purse and left the business.

One of the responding officers looked at the store's video surveillance and thought he recognized the suspects.

Inside the couple's home, officers found clothing that matched the suspects in the video as well as Byers' cell phone and purse, Weary said.

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