Gwinnett Daily Post

NORCROSS -- A robbery at a Norcross barber shop was cut short last week when a patron grabbed the suspect's gun and helped hold him until authorities arrived.

According to a Gwinnett County police report, 23-year-old Brett Jonathan Gresham entered the A-T Barber Shop on Buford Highway at about 7:30 p.m. Thursday, asking to use the restroom. Witnesses said Gresham emerged from the bathroom with a handgun demanding money and cellphones or "he would shoot everyone."

That's when 34-year-old Stone Mountain resident Corey Ashe, in the process of getting his hair cut, sprang into action.

Ashe reportedly jumped out of the barber's chair and wrestled the gun away from Gresham, getting shot in the middle finger in the process. The gun was kicked across the floor and Ashe and the barber struggled with Gresham until police arrived.

Gresham managed to get away and led officers on a foot chase across Buford Highway. He was tasered multiple times during the chase, which ended when he ran into the intersection of South Peachtree Street -- and the front end of another officer's patrol car.

Jail records show Gresham was arrested and charged with three counts of armed robbery, four counts of aggravated assault and one count of cruelty to children. The final charge stems from a 2-year-old boy's presence at the barber shop during the alleged robbery.

Gresham is being held without bond. He reportedly told police he knew the robbery was a "bad decision" but that he was "homeless and was just trying to get enough money to eat and a place to stay."