VANCOUVER, Wash. -- A woman attacked and robbed a tanning salon owner at gunpoint in Vancouver Tuesday night, police said.

A woman identified only as Lisa, who is the owner of Tropical Breeze Tanning Salon located on Southeast McGillivray Boulevard, said she came face-to-face with the armed robber.

Lisa said the robber showed a gun and asked if she thought it was real. Lisa said she replied "no," and then grabbed her phone and some money from the till.

But the robber started grabbing things off the counter as she tried to call for help.

"I pushed the button on the phone to start dialing and she started hitting me," Lisa said.

Lisa said the woman punched her in the face and tried to rip the cash out of her hand, but the attacker finally gave up and ran off.

Co-owner Eric Ohrling said the robber came into the salon earlier that day to use the bathroom. She walked around the entire salon, leaned over the appointment book and claimed she was on the schedule, Ohrling said.

The owners said they believe the woman was trying to see how busy things were at the salon.

Lisa wasn't seriously hurt in the attack, and the robber didn't escape with much money, the victims said.

The robber is described as white and in her 20s with pale skin and black hair pulled back in a ponytail. She is 5 feet 5 inches tall and weighs 200 pounds or more.

Anyone with information is asked to call police.

Woman Robs Tanning Salon At Gunpoint