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One of Vancouver’s ‘most prolific’ thieves arrested in wig thefts

Vancouver police say Martin Weigelt has more than 100 criminal convictions dating back more than 30 years
stolen wigs
Vancouver police announced March 6 the arrest of 52-year-old Martin Weigelt in the alleged theft last fall of more than 100 wigs from Eva and Company Wigs on West Broadway. Photo iStock

A man police considered one of the city’s most prolific property crime offenders is facing charges in the theft last fall of a number of wigs destined for B.C. Children’s Hospital.

Vancouver police announced Wednesday that Martin Weigelt, 52, has been charged with the September break-in and theft of 150 wigs from a West Side wig store. Police said that Weigelt, who is “considered one of the city’s most prolific property offenders” was arrested today and remains in custody.

“He has an extensive criminal past, with more than 100 criminal convictions dating back to 1987,” media relations officer Sgt. Jason Robillard said in a press release.

Just after 3:30 a.m. on Sept. 7, Weigelt allegedly broke into Eva and Company Wigs at 950 West Broadway and made off with the wigs, many of which were supposed to go to cancer patients. Officers were able to recover 66 of the stolen wigs.

The investigation is still ongoing and anyone with information about the missing wigs is asked to call Vancouver police property crime investigators at 604-717-0610 or Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-8477.

@JessicaEKerr

jkerr@vancourier.com