Video shows thieves stealing $25,000 worth of wigs, other merchandise from Tarzana beauty store

TARZANA, Calif. (KABC) -- A beauty supply store owner said she's been forced to shut down her shop in Tarzana after thieves broke into the business and stole about $25,000 worth of wigs and other merchandise - and she said this is one of the many break-ins she's experienced.

It happened late Wednesday night at Evette's Beauty Supply located in the 18000 block of Ventura Boulevard.

Owner Evette Ingram said a man and woman were caught smashing a window to get in the store before taking off with the merchandise in a getaway vehicle.

Surveillance video shows the suspects inside the business, placing different pieces of merchandise in large black garbage bags.

Ingram spoke with Eyewitness News on Thursday and said she's had to close all five of her stores in Los Angeles County due to the increase in thefts.

"I've had so many break-ins, I own five stores and they've all been broken into," she said. "This particular Tarzana store has been broken into six times."

Ingram said on two different occasions, shoplifters have threatened her with knives and said she can't take it anymore.

"Because of the stress and it's taken a toll on my health, I've decided to close all of the stores, as well as the economy being bad, but mainly the stress of the thefts," she said.

Ingram said she started her beauty supply store business in 2017 with the Tarzana location opening in January 2020. She said the break-ins began in April 2020, just one month after the start of the COVID-19 pandemic.

Ingram wanted to create generational wealth for her family, but between the thefts and the toll taken during the pandemic, it hasn't been easy.

"I made it through the pandemic, I opened stores during the pandemic, and I have seen the crime get worse and worse," she said.

Evette's Beauty Supply provides special wigs for those with cancer, which made Ingram's store an essential business during the pandemic.

"This was my passion," said Ingram. "I put everything into my stores and they've stolen my passion."

Ingram said no other businesses targeted in the area and has since filed a police report.

Anyone with information is urged to contact police.