Hair they come: Venezuela Gangs hack women’s hair off head

Thieves in the Venezuelan coastal city of Maracaibo are hacking women's hair right off their heads. Scissor-wielding thieves lurk around and chop off women's long hair to sell as extensions to stylists and beauty salons.

Thieves in the Venezuelan coastal city of Maracaibo are hacking women's hair right off their heads.

The thieves, known as piranhas, also carry guns with them.

Scissor-wielding thieves lurk in malls, beaches and downtown areas, and chop off women's ponytails and long hair to sell as extensions to stylists and beauty salons, the New York Daily News reported.

Thefts of similar nature have occurred in other countries, including Colombia, China and South Africa.

Depending on its length, human hair can fetch between $500 (Rs 32,850) and $ 800 (Rs 52,560) when sold to hair salons.