On October 15, the Oakland Museum of California’s off-site storage facility was the target of a major theft, resulting in the loss of more than one thousand items. According to the Oakland Police Department, the stolen pieces range from Native American baskets and jewelry to modern electronics such as laptops. The Oakland Police Department and the Federal Bureau of Investigation are actively investigating the incident, which involves artifacts representing California’s rich and diverse cultural heritage.
“The theft that occurred represents a brazen act that robs the public of our state’s cultural heritage,” said Lori Fogarty, Executive Director and CEO of the Oakland Museum of California, per the Oakland Police Department. Fogarty emphasized the magnitude of the loss and affirmed the museum’s ongoing collaboration with law enforcement agencies to recover the stolen items.
Individuals with any information related to the theft are urged to contact the Oakland Police Department’s Burglary Section at (510) 238-3951 or the FBI Art Crime Team via Tips.fbi.gov or by calling 1-800-CALL-FBI.
