Bob Kasarda

MERRILLVILLE — Police say a local woman upset about losing a $20 deposit after showing up late for her daughter's hair appointment pulled out a knife, twice slashed the hairdresser and threatened to return with a gun to "shoot the place up."

Takary Sims, 36, of Merrillville, is charged with criminal counts of battery by means of a deadly weapon, battery resulting in serious bodily injury and two counts of intimidation.

While Sims reportedly told a witness that she "was tired of people taking advantage of her this year," Sims later told police she used the knife in self defense and as a result of past trauma, according to a charging document.

Sims said the hairdresser "ran up on her" and she did not want to fight in front of her young daughter, police said.

Merrillville pol

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