Masked thieves target hair salons, stealing high-value wigs and extensions

✓ Verified by 2+ sources

Key details reported by multiple sources:

• Two masked thieves broke into a salon on Salmon St, Port Melbourne, on Wednesday (2026-09-10), stealing about $50,000 worth of custom-made wigs, hairpieces, and styling tools.
• The same offenders later ransacked a second salon on Clarendon St, South Melbourne, about 30 minutes after the first break-in, stealing hair extensions, products, cash, and a stereo.
• Some of the stolen wigs were specially made for clients diagnosed with cancer.
• Police are investigating the incidents and have asked witnesses to contact Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000.
• Stuart Lawson, who opened the Port Melbourne salon in 2017, stated the burglary occurred just 18 months after another break-in at his salon.
• In July 2026, a group of thieves broke into two hair salons in Cranbourne West, stealing tens of thousands of dollars worth of packaged hair extensions.
• In 2018, a specialist hair salon in Melbourne’s north was burgled, and $100,000 worth of human hair was stolen.