Seven months after two friends vanished in East Oakland, police are now searching a fortified warehouse and quietly bracing for the worst in a case that has families fearing a deadly fallout from an alleged local chop shop operation.
The missing men, Justin Wayne Lee, 29, and Esmeraldo Hernandez Vivero, 34, disappeared in mid May and have not been seen since. Relatives and investigators worry the pair may have been killed in a dispute tied to organized auto theft, although authorities say they have not recovered bodies or confirmed any homicides.
Video posted to Instagram shows Oakland police and FBI agents pouring into a warehouse at 100th Avenue and Pearmain Street as part of what officials described as an evidence sweep, according to KTVU. Officers zeroed in on spots they believed could hide buried evidence, but the station reports that no human remains were found. Investigators say the search was the latest step in a long running probe into a chop shop ring that has drawn repeated law enforcement attention this year.
According to the California Attorney General, Esmeraldo Hernandez Vivero was last seen on May 15, 2025, and the Alameda County Sheriff's Office is listed as the reporting agency. The state missing persons entry includes physical details and a case number detectives are using as they chase down leads. So far, authorities have not announced any charges directly connected to the disappearances and say the investigation remains active.
Earlier this year, per Hoodline, the Alameda County Sheriff's Office conducted a raid on the same East Oakland property. It seized eight stolen vehicles along with a haul that included a gasoline tanker and a BMW with police style lights, plus stolen license plates, body armor, ammunition, and burglary tools. Those raids led to arrests and charges for receiving stolen property, and they set the stage for why detectives returned once new tips pointed back to the warehouse. Officials have declined to say whether the missing persons investigation has uncovered evidence of homicide while searches and interviews continue.
What Investigators Say and What Families Fear
Witnesses told detectives that two of the suspects charged in the chop shop case had recruited Lee and Vivero to steal cars, and a dispute over those thefts is now a key focus for investigators, according to KTVU. For the families, the waiting has turned into dread.
Justin Lee's uncle told reporters he is afraid he's gone, while Vivero's sister - who did not want her name used - told the station she is "pretty sure" her brother is no longer alive. Detectives say they are still working through witness statements and forensic leads as they try to piece together what happened.
How to Help or Tip Investigators
Anyone with information is urged to contact the Alameda County Sheriff's Office. The California Attorney General's missing persons page for Vivero includes the reporting agency and case details for people who may have relevant information.
Tips can also be sent through the sheriff's tip lines and online reporting portals. Investigators are particularly interested in any video or other evidence from the 100th Avenue and Pearmain Street area in May.
