Officials: Oakland museum burglary was crime of opportunity, not a targeted theft

"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."

More than 1,000 items were stolen from an Oakland Museum of California storage site in Fruitvale on Oct. 15. No stolen items have been recovered and no arrests have been made. The Oakland Police Department and the FBI Art Crime Team assessed the break-in as a crime of opportunity rather than a targeted theft. The perpetrators did not appear to identify the facility as museum storage or seek specific pieces, instead taking items that were most easily accessible. Investigators believe at least two suspects were involved and initially intended to steal copper wiring. Stolen items include historic memorabilia, six Native American baskets, scrimshaw, daguerreotypes, and modernist metalwork jewelry valued at over $100,000.

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