Oakland, Calif., police announced Wednesday that thieves broke into an Oakland Museum of California storage facility at around 3:30 a.m. on Oct. 15, stealing more than 1,000 artifacts, including Native American baskets, jewelry and laptops.

FOX News

Oakland, Calif., police announced Wednesday that thieves broke into an Oakland Museum of California storage facility at around 3:30 a.m. on Oct. 15, stealing more than 1,000 artifacts, including Native American baskets, jewelry and laptops.

The Oakland Police Department and FBI Art Crime Team are jointly investigating the burglary, which was discovered on Oct. 16, when museum staff arrived at the off-site storage location the following morning.

New York Post

The Oakland Police Department and FBI Art Crime Team are jointly investigating the burglary, which was discovered on Oct. 16, when museum staff arrived at the off-site storage location the following morning.

Among the stolen items were daguerreotype photographs, 19th-century carved walrus tusks, sterling silver necklaces by artist Florence Resnikoff and various Native American woven goods from the museum's collection.

The New York Times

Among the stolen items were daguerreotype photographs, 19th-century carved walrus tusks, sterling silver necklaces by artist Florence Resnikoff and various Native American woven goods from the museum's collection.

Museum officials believe the theft was a crime of opportunity rather than a sophisticated heist, though the facility was protected by security cameras and an alarm system, according to executive director Lori Fogarty.

Museum officials believe the theft was a crime of opportunity rather than a sophisticated heist, though the facility was protected by security cameras and an alarm system, according to executive director Lori Fogarty.

The Oakland Museum houses more than 2 million objects dedicated to California's cultural heritage, with the stolen items representing donations from contributors over the years, according to museum leadership.

Guardian

The Oakland Museum houses more than 2 million objects dedicated to California's cultural heritage, with the stolen items representing donations from contributors over the years, according to museum leadership.

The Oakland heist occurred just four days before <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow" href="https://www.verity.news/story/2025/thieves-rob-louvres-crown-jewels-in-minute-heist">thieves stole approximately $102 million worth of crown jewels from the Louvre</a> Museum in Paris on Oct. 19, prompting questions about museum security worldwide.

The Oakland heist occurred just four days before thieves stole approximately $102 million worth of crown jewels from the Louvre Museum in Paris on Oct.  19, prompting questions about museum security worldwide.

Los Angeles Times

Townhall

Oakland, Calif., police announced Wednesday that Thieves broke into an Oakland Museum of California storage facility at around 3:30 a.m. on Oct. 15, stealing more than 1,000 artifacts, including Native American baskets, jewelry and laptops.

The New York Times #

FOX News #

Oakland, Calif., police announced Wednesday that Thieves broke into an Oakland Museum of California storage facility at around 3:30 a.m. on Oct. 15, stealing more than 1,000 artifacts, including Native American baskets, jewelry and laptops.

The Oakland Police Department and FBI Art Crime Team are jointly investigating the burglary, which was not discovered until Oct. 16, when museum staff arrived at the off-site storage location the following morning.

Los Angeles Times #

New York Post #3150

The Oakland Police Department and FBI Art Crime Team are jointly investigating the burglary, which was not discovered until Oct. 16, when museum staff arrived at the off-site storage location the following morning.

Among the stolen items were daguerreotype photographs, 19th-century carved walrus tusks, sterling silver necklaces by artist Florence Resnikoff and various Native American woven goods from the museum's collection. Laptops were also stolen.

Among the stolen items were daguerreotype photographs, 19th-century carved walrus tusks, sterling silver necklaces by artist Florence Resnikoff and various Native American woven goods from the museum's collection. Laptops were also stolen.

Guardian #2060

The Oakland Museum houses more than 2 million objects dedicated to California's cultural heritage, with the stolen items representing donations from generous contributors over the years according to museum leadership.</span

Townhall #1705

The Oakland Museum houses more than 2 million objects dedicated to California's cultural heritage, with the stolen items representing donations from generous contributors over the years according to museum leadership.

The Oakland heist occurred just four days before <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow" href="https://www.verity.news/story/2025/thieves-rob-louvres-crown-jewels-in-minute-heist">thieves stole approximately $102 million worth of crown jewels from the Louvre</a> Museum in Paris on October 19, prompting questions about museum security worldwide.

The Oakland heist occurred just four days before thieves stole approximately $102 million worth of crown jewels from the Louvre Museum in Paris on October 19, prompting questions about museum security worldwide.

This heist — from an unguarded off-site storage facility with alarms silent — mirrors not only the recent Louvre smash-and-grab, but previous 2012 and 2013 break-ins at the Oakland museum. As experts point toward an inside job, especially given the inside knowledge required to target the nondescript warehouse, California museums must end opportunity crimes with 24/7 guards, vetting staff and contractors, and tech audits to protect donated heritage.

This heist — from an unguarded off-site storage facility with alarms silent — mirrors not only the recent Louvre smash-and-grab, but previous 2012 and 2013 break-ins at the Oakland museum. As experts point toward an inside job, especially given the inside knowledge required to target the nondescript warehouse, California museums must end opportunity crimes with 24/7 guards, vetting staff and contractors, and tech audits to protect donated heritage.

The San Francisco Standard

The San Francisco Standard #

Oakland Museum hit with brazen burglary four days before Louvre heist

Artnet News

Artnet News #

Oakland Museum Robbery 2706311

Museum heists represent more than just crimes of opportunity; they also reflect cultural decline. While thieves in France executed a 4-minute daylight raid on royal jewels amid security guard layoffs and faulty alarms, Oakland's museum left its storage completely unguarded. As once great cities prioritize phantom threats over real security, the West will continue to fall victim to inept governance and brazen criminality. The system needs fixing, not just locks.

Museum heists represent more than just crimes of opportunity; they also reflect cultural decline. While thieves in France executed a 4-minute daylight raid on royal jewels amid security guard layoffs and faulty alarms, Oakland's museum left its storage completely unguarded. As once great cities prioritize phantom threats over real security, the West will continue to fall victim to inept governance and brazen criminality. The system needs fixing, not just locks.

American Thinker

American Thinker #

Suffering through idiocracy

The KBS Chronicle

Substack

Substack #

The Louvre Heist Sparks Telegram CEO's Pointed Critique of French Security and Governance

There's a 21% chance that any of the following 8 pieces of jewelry stolen in the 2025 Louvre heist will be recovered before Dec. 1, 2025, according to the Metaculus prediction community. The tiara from Maria Amalia of Naples and Sicily and Hortense de Beauharnais; The necklace from Maria Amalia and Hortense; An earring from Maria Amalia and Hortense; The emerald necklace from Empress Marie Louise; A pair of emerald earrings from Empress Marie Louise; The reliquary brooch worn by Empress Eugénie; The tiara of Empress Eugénie; The big bodice knot of the Empress Eugenie.

There's a 21% chance that any of the following 8 pieces of jewelry stolen in the 2025 Louvre heist will be recovered before Dec. 1, 2025, according to the Metaculus prediction community. The tiara from Maria Amalia of Naples and Sicily and Hortense de Beauharnais; The necklace from Maria Amalia and Hortense; An earring from Maria Amalia and Hortense; The emerald necklace from Empress Marie Louise; A pair of emerald earrings from Empress Marie Louise; The reliquary brooch worn by Empress Eugénie; The tiara of Empress Eugénie; The big bodice knot of the Empress Eugenie.

Metaculus

Metaculus #

Will any jewels stolen in the 2025 Louvre heist be recovered by Dec 1, 2025?

Wikimedia Commons

Thieves Steal 1,000+ Artifacts from Oakland Museum Storage

Crime & justice

Native Americans

United States of America

Museum heists represent more than just crimes of opportunity; they also reflect cultural decline. While thieves in France executed a four-minute daylight raid on royal jewels amid security guard layoffs and faulty alarms, Oakland's museum left its storage completely unguarded. As once great cities prioritize phantom threats over real security, the West will continue to fall victim to inept governance and brazen criminality. The system needs fixing, not just locks.

Museum heists represent more than just crimes of opportunity; they also reflect cultural decline. While thieves in France executed a four-minute daylight raid on royal jewels amid security guard layoffs and faulty alarms, Oakland's museum left its storage completely unguarded. As once great cities prioritize phantom threats over real security, the West will continue to fall victim to inept governance and brazen criminality. The system needs fixing, not just locks.

There is a 21% chance that any of the eight pieces of jewelry stolen in the 2025 Louvre heist will be recovered before Dec. 1, 2025, according to the Metaculus prediction community.

There is a 21% chance that any of the eight pieces of jewelry stolen in the 2025 Louvre heist will be recovered before Dec. 1, 2025, according to the Metaculus prediction community.

Thieves Steal 1,000+ Artifacts from Oakland Museum Storage

Thieves Steal 1,000+ Artifacts from Oakland Museum Storage

The Spin

Metaculus Prediction

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Thieves Steal 1,000+ Artifacts from Oakland Museum Storage

Thieves Steal 1,000+ Artifacts from Oakland Museum Storage

The Spin

Metaculus Prediction

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