Owner considers closing Fresno wig shop after it’s robbed twice in one week
The owner of a Fresno wig shop is considering closing or relocating her business after it was burglarized twice in six days last week.
Helena Gibson, owner of Strut Hair Solutions at 6687 N. Blackstone Ave., told The Bee on Monday that a total of $27,000 in inventory was lost, not including damages. It wasn’t the first time the shop has been broken into.
The shop’s wigs are made for people with medical hair loss, typically cancer patients or those with alopecia.
“It’s just really disheartening, because we’re trying to provide a service to our community,” said Gibson, a business owner in Fresno for 24 years.
Early on Sunday, Dec. 14, Gibson said a rock was used to break a window to the front of her shop. Visibility of the suspects was limited on her security camera, but she could see that a tool was used to “fish” wigs out through security bars and the broken window.
By the time the alarm company called, Gibson did not see anyone on her camera, so she told them to disarm the alarm.
Suspects returned four times throughout the day, obtaining an entire wall of wigs. Around $17,500 was lost.
“It was like a free-for-all,” Gibson said.
Six days later, on Saturday, Dec. 20, Gibson’s security cameras captured two men use a two-by-four to smash through the front window again, then reach through the bars and steal multiple items . Once she found out, Gibson said her dad went to the shop to ensure no one returned. Around $6,500 in inventory was lost.
The shop’s alarm was set and activated, yet it did not deter the suspects. Police arrived around 20 minutes later.
“Burglars know they have 10-20 minutes before police arrive,” Gibson said. “They can do a lot of damage in that time.”
The tool believed to be used by the burglars to “fish” wigs out through the broken window and security bars was found in the shop’s parking lot.
Gibson believes the same individuals were involved in both incidents, and police reports have been filed.
Sgt. Diana Trueba Vega of the Fresno Police Department said the investigation is ongoing.
In 2021, the wig shop was broken into three times, leading Gibson to install security bars and an alarm system.
“What else is a business owner to do? I’ve done everything I can do. I’m just done with it,” Gibson said.
This story was originally published December 23, 2025 at 8:02 AM.