OAKLAND — The theft of more than 1,000 items from an Oakland Museum of California storage site Oct. 15 was a crime of opportunity and not a targeted heist, museum officials said Friday.
So far, none of the items taken have been recovered and no arrests have been announced, authorities said.
In a statement, museum officials said that based on current findings, investigators with the Oakland Police Department and the FBI Art Crime Team believe the break-in at the Fruitvale district facility was a crime of opportunity, not a targeted theft. They noted that police had approved the information in the new statement being released amid the ongoing investigation.
“There is no indication that the perpetrators specifically identified the facility as museum storage or sought particular artworks or artifacts,” the statement read in part. “Instead, it appears (the thieves) gained access and took items that were most easily available.”
Authorities believe at least two suspects were involved and had originally planned to steal copper wiring at the building.
The break-in happened just before 3:30 a.m. Oct. 15.
“While every object in OMCA’s collection plays an important role in preserving the story of California and its people, the majority of stolen items consist of historic memorabilia such as political pins, award ribbons, and souvenir tokens,” museum officials said in the statement. “Additional stolen artifacts of particular sensitivity include six Native American baskets, several 19th-century scrimshaw objects, and a number of daguerreotypes and modernist metalwork jewelry pieces.”
They are valued in excess of more than $100,000.
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The statement says: “We are deeply grateful for our community’s solidarity as we work to address this serious loss.
“OMCA has received particular concern from the community regarding the stolen Native American baskets. The Museum works in close collaboration with Indigenous communities and Tribes from across California and is in direct communication with the culturally affiliated Tribe connected to these stolen items. The Tribe has requested that their name not be made public and that OMCA not publicly release further details about the baskets.”
“This is a loss not only for OMCA, but for the broader community,” said Lori Fogarty, Executive Director and CEO, Oakland Museum of California. “The Museum takes its responsibility to steward California’s history and cultural legacy with the utmost seriousness and remains committed to recovering the stolen items and ensuring their continued care for future generations.”
Anyone with information may contact Oakland police burglary investigators at 510-238-3951 or the FBI Art Crime Team at 800–225-5324 or visit tips.fbi.gov.
