Thieves steal tools from Fresno nail salon, owner says break-in was planned

Angie Castro said the break-in at her Fresno nail salon did more than strip away equipment. It threatened the income she depends on as a single mother, right before one of the busiest gift-buying weekends of the year.

Castro, owner of Studio 526 in Fresno, said thieves spray-painted over and covered the security cameras before forcing entry by breaking the front-door lock. She said the crew appeared to have planned the theft, because they approached from an angle that stayed outside the cameras’ view.

The loss, Castro estimated, will cost her about $5,000 to replace. Among the items taken were airbrush equipment, drills and lamps, along with other tools and supplies she had just restocked the night before the burglary. The thieves also dumped and scattered tables and products throughout the salon.

For Castro, who said she has been doing nails for about 13 years, the damage goes beyond the inventory. With limited supplies, she is now using a friend’s drill, which slows appointments and makes each nail set take longer. That means fewer clients served, less income coming in and more pressure on a small business that runs on tight margins.

The timing added another blow. The burglary came just before Mother’s Day, when salons often see a rush of last-minute customers and gift-related spending. The National Retail Federation says consumer spending for Mother’s Day is expected to reach a record $38 billion in 2026, underscoring how much a single theft can matter during a short, high-demand sales window.

The ripple effect can reach beyond one storefront. A burglary like this can delay reopening, interrupt appointments and force a small operator to spend precious cash on replacement tools instead of payroll, rent or inventory. In neighborhoods where many businesses operate with limited reserves, even one theft can leave owners feeling exposed and on their own.

A GoFundMe was created to help Castro replace what was stolen. It had raised about $900 when the report was published.

California’s Office of the Small Business Advocate says it connects small businesses to support and capital, including grants, lending programs and disaster resources. For Castro, the immediate challenge is simpler and more urgent: rebuilding enough of Studio 526 to keep clients coming through the door.