A Langley store that provides wigs for cancer patients going through chemotherapy treatment is reeling after theives stole thousands of dollars in wigs.
The thieves also smashed glass windows and a memorial for a 7-year-old cancer patient who didn't survive long enough to get her wig from Rose Adams, the 74-year-old at the heart of "The House of Miss Rose."
"These kids must have aunts with cancer. They've got to know that people need this," said Adams, who goes by Miss Rose after more than 50 years in the hair dressing business. "It's terrible."
The thieves smashed three windows at the side of her 56th Avenue store on Sept. 18 at about 5 a.m. They made off with dozens of wigs.
"They broke the glass, entered through the glass and exited the same way, and a good number of these wigs were taken, with a value between $50 and $500 to the tune of about $5,000 in wigs," said Cpl. Holly Marks of the Langley RCMP.
The thieves also smashed a mannequin head that bore a wig originally intended for Gaby Davis, a seven-year-old cancer patient who never got to wear the wig Miss Rose had ordered for her.
"They smashed her picture all up. I think it's terrible," said Miss Rose.
The wigs are likely headed for some kind of sale. Wig thefts are fairly common. In Arkansas on Saturday, a store owner caught thieves stealing about $1,000 in hair extensions from her store.
"It's surprising to most people how much they are worth," said Marks.
The Langley RCMP are hoping for tips. They believe a white SUV fled the scene but can't be sure. They are also asking anyone on online sales sites such as Craigslist to watch out for suspicious sales and report them to police.
Miss Rose says she will continue to make the wigs, though she plans to move her store up away from street level and install cameras.
She has a message for the thieves, whom she believes must realize that they are hurting the most vulnerable.
"Smarten up," she said. "Have a heart and see if they can't give everyone else one out there too."
