Oakland Museum of California Burglary: Thieves Steal Over 1,000 Priceless Objects

Strategic Insights -

The Oakland Museum of California was targeted in a brazen burglary on the night of October 15 or early morning of October 16, resulting in the theft of over 1,000 priceless objects from the museum's collection. The stolen items include historical objects, Native American baskets, and scrimshaws, among others. According to museum director Lori Fogarty, the objects are "priceless in terms of historical value" but not extremely valuable on the black market.

Key Takeaways:

  • The Oakland Museum of California has the largest collection of California-specific history, with over 2,000,000 items, and only a handful of which can be on display at any given time.
  • The museum's collection includes over 5,000 Native American baskets, with many of the items stored in an off-site warehouse.
  • The stolen items include an old photograph, jewelry, a woven Native American basket, and scrimshaws, suggesting this was likely a crime of opportunity.
  • Stealing from a museum is a federal offense, and the FBI Art Crime Team is investigating alongside the Oakland Police Department.
  • Former FBI agent Jeff Harp stated that the FBI Art Crime Team consists of less than 20 agents with expertise in tracking and recovering irreplaceable art pieces.
  • The museum is releasing photos of the stolen items, hoping that members of the public may be able to identify and assist in recovering them.
  • Anyone with information about the heist can contact Oakland police.

Statistics:

  • Over 1,000 objects were stolen from the Oakland Museum of California.
  • The museum's collection includes over 2,000,000 items, with only a handful on display at any given time.
  • The museum has over 5,000 Native American baskets in its collection.
  • The FBI Art Crime Team consists of less than 20 agents.

Sources:

  • Katie Nielsen, KPIX ("Oakland Museum of California says thieves stole over 1,000 priceless objects")
  • Lori Fogarty, Oakland Museum of California Director
  • Jeff Harp, former FBI agent