Arrest in Clearwater Hair Salon Robbery at Knifepoint

A 45-year-old Pinellas Park man was arrested Tuesday in connection to a robbery at knifepoint at the Blew Chocolate Hair Salon, 2140 Drew St., in Clearwater.

Michael R. Bourdeau was taken into custody Tuesday, April 16, after detectives say they spotted a car in Dunedin that witnesses had identified.

Bourdeau also is a suspect in a second armed robbery Tuesday at a Sun Country Dry Cleaners in Oldsmar.

According to the Tampa Bay Times:

Between Monday and Tuesday afternoon, stores in Largo, Clearwater, St. Petersburg and Oldsmar were robbed by a knife-bearing man. Employees described the robber as a white man more than 6 feet tall and 250 pounds, clean-shaven and wielding a long, sharp culinary knife.

In the Clearwater incident, the Pinellas County Sheriff's Office said that the suspect entered the hair salon and was carrying a large knife.

According to a press release from the Sheriff's Office, the suspect then demanded money. He took the cash and left the scene in a beige/gold Mercury Grand Marquis, which was later discovered to be stolen.

The vehicle was located by the Pinellas County Sheriff's Office at a Dunedin shopping plaza. According to deputies, Bourdeau rammed a Pinellas County Sheriff's cruiser in an attempt to get away.

According to a press release:

"The suspect was observed exiting a store and entering the vehicle. Deputies attempted to conduct a traffic stop at which point the suspect rammed a deputy cruiser. Deputies used the PIT Maneuver to stop the vehicle."

Bourdeau was taken into custody.

Update: On Wednesday, April 17, the Pinellas County Sheriff's Office said that
Bourdeau has been charged with two burglaries of two Clearwater businesses: Frenchy's South Beach, 351 S. Gulfview Blvd.,and French's Salt Water, 419 Poinsettia Ave.

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