Police: Man Attacks 4 Grandmothers With Hammer In Beauty Parlor

Saturday, August 11th 2007, 7:51 pm

By: News On 6

WILKES-BARRE, Pa. (AP) _ A 41-year-old man stormed a beauty salon and bludgeoned four grandmothers with a hammer, fracturing one's skull, before making off with less than $90, police said.

Thomas Leyshon III, of Mountain Top, was arrested after a daylong manhunt Friday.

The women, aged 56 to 76, did not resist but were beaten anyway, witnesses said. At least one required surgery.

``It takes a coward to go after some old women,'' said Andy Chopka, grandson of victim Jeanna Chopka.

Authorities allege Leyshon attacked a co-owner of Hairem Family Hair and Nail Care while demanding money from the register and the women's purses.

``This is a completely senseless act of brutality against women who were doing nothing more than spending a day at the beauty parlor,'' prosecutor David Lupas said. ``These are ... the most vulnerable of victims.''

Leyshon was being held Saturday on $100,000 bail. It was not immediately clear if he had a lawyer.

The victims were treated at hospitals for head and facial injuries.