Charley Fowler, a 28-year-old An Indiana woman, has been accused of dragging a nail salon employee with her car in Valparaiso, Indiana.
According to employees at the Diamond & Nails Spa, Fowler, a child therapist, complained about the quality of her manicure, refused to let employees redo her nails, and then left without paying her bill before allegedly dragging an employee with her car. Phihung Nguyen, an employee at the salon said he hung onto the vehicle’s hood while Fowler dragged him approximately 40 feet. He complained of pain to his shin and hand, but officers said he had no visible injuries.
Fowler tells a different story, claiming that as she was waiting in her car for police, salon employees began pounding on her windows which caused her to try and flee the scene.
Fowler was arrested and transported to the Porter County Jail, where she was charged with misdemeanor theft and criminal recklessness.
via The Times of Northwest Indiana:
Porter County Prosecutor Brian Gensel, whose office will make the final determination on charges, said Tuesday morning he was waiting to see the surveillance video. While salon employees told police they offered to redo the manicure and Fowler declined, Harper said Fowler was too busy to stay and said she would return the following day. When salon employees opted to call police, Fowler said she would wait in her vehicle, Harper said.
Fowler claims she pulled out of her parking spot because salon employees were beating on the windows of her vehicle. She said she drove slowly to a nearby restaurant. Police said a surveillance video shows she dragged an employee across the lot.
But Harper pointed out that Fowler is not accused of hitting the employee with her vehicle and dragging him. The employee jumped on her car, which Harper said is reflective of the improper vigilante approach in settling this case.
Fowler and her lawyer say they hope to have the case dismissed.