Investigators Follow Footprint In Arresting Carmichael Salon Burglary Suspect

CARMICHAEL (CBS13) - Investigators say a burglar who broke into a local nail salon was very easy to find. The powder on his shoes sent him to jail.

Customers at Classy Nails in Carmichael are happy with the service.

"I think they do an amazing job," Jessica Johnson. "I'm here every two weeks. It's kind of nice to watch TV while you're here."

But no one was watching TV in the salon Tuesday after deputies say Eric Barbee stole it in the middle of the night.

"Oh, its a 46-inch," owner Le Huan said of the set.

"I think it's really sad," Jessica said.

While the salon was closed, Barbee allegedly took a rock and smashed his way in.

Investigators say once he got inside, he knew exactly where he was going. The TV was the target, but in the way was this tray filled with pink and white powder. It was knocked to the floor and deputies say Barbee stepped in it.

The owner says other things were stolen too before Barbee and a possible second suspect fled the scene.

"Not much at a nail salon to steal," Jessica said.

Not only did Barbee allegedly take the TV but a bunch of that colored powder got on the bottom of his shoes. When deputies got to the salon they saw the crook's misstep.

"Noticed shoe tread impressions in that powder," Sgt. Jason Ramos said.

Barbee was detained a few blocks away and brought back to the salon.

"He had powder on the bottom of his shoes that was consistent with colored powder at the business," Ramos said.

The shoe fit, sending Barbee to jail.

"Even to the lay person's eyes it was pretty clear it was an exact match," Ramos said.