A Kelowna business owner says her shop was broken into Tuesday morning for the third time and three wigs worth about $900 were stolen.
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A downtown Kelowna business owner is calling for stronger measures after Mary-Claris Hair Extensions was broken into again Tuesday morning, her third such incident, with a suspect believed to have taken three wigs valued at a combined $900.
Owner Wendy Munyanyi said the break-in involved a window that was smashed at about 7:15 a.m. and that the object used to break the glass was thrown deep into the store. She described the event as devastating and said the theft occurred during the latest incident.
A nearby worker, Jonathan Williams, said he heard the shop’s alarm go off and realized the window had been broken as Munyanyi tried to get inside. Williams told authorities he approached and spoke with the person in the process, and that the person then said they needed a wig before leaving.
Munyanyi said the suspect was female and fled after the incident, with police called after the break-in. The window damage was already done by the time she said 911 was contacted, she added.
Following earlier concerns raised by business operators, the City of Kelowna implemented measures after a community safety forum earlier in 2026. Those steps included creating a CCTV registry intended to help RCMP investigations and establishing a security grant program for businesses seeking support for safety upgrades.
Despite those actions, Munyanyi said she has not seen enough change. She characterized the situation as unchanged for her and said she wants more direct responsibility from the city in response to repeated break-ins.
Kelowna Mayor Tom Dyas said the city has increased its efforts downtown, including by moving to add more RCMP presence and increasing bylaw patrols. He said the city will keep pushing higher levels of government for additional services while continuing to adjust local responses.
In the mayor’s office, dyas said the city’s approach includes downtown core teams and continued efforts to increase enforcement, alongside ongoing listening for additional changes needed. He linked those steps to a broader request for support from provincial or federal levels.
Ron Cannan, an incumbent councillor and mayoral candidate, said a local response could also include partnerships for housing supports. He pointed to what he described as a gap in providing second-stage sober housing, suggesting the city could work with nonprofit organizations and philanthropic individuals to expand partnerships.
For Munyanyi, the immediate priority is accountability and prevention. She said her message to the city is straightforward: she wants Kelowna to take more responsibility to reduce repeat break-ins affecting local businesses.
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