Oakland Museum's Treasures Stolen: Community Urged to Assist in Recovery

Sun Nov 02 2025 03:47:44 GMT+0200 (Eastern European Standard Time)

A recent theft at the Oakland Museum of California saw over 1,000 valuable artifacts, including Native American baskets and cultural memorabilia, stolen in a brazen early morning burglary. Police are appealing to the public for any information that could aid in the recovery of these significant items.

In a startling incident on October 15, the Oakland Museum of California was targeted in a burglary, leading to the theft of over 1,000 items from its historical collection. These include culturally significant artifacts such as jewelry by renowned artist Florence Resnikoff, Native American baskets, and sports trophies. Museum director Lori Fogarty stated the importance of these items goes beyond the museum; they represent a shared community heritage. The investigation is active, with the police seeking the public's help to recover the stolen objects in light of their potential resale in local markets.

OAKLAND, Calif. — In a concerning burglary on October 15, police are investigating the theft of over 1,000 items from the Oakland Museum of California's collection. Among the stolen artifacts are culturally significant pieces like metalwork jewelry, Native American baskets, and various historical items that tell California's unique story.

This brazen theft took place during the early hours at an off-site storage facility in Oakland. Museum director Lori Fogarty expressed that these artifacts are a significant loss not just for the museum but also for the community as a whole, urging anyone with information to assist in bringing these important pieces of heritage back.

Fogarty characterized the crime as one of opportunity rather than a targeted theft, indicating that the thieves may have known how to access the facility and quickly grabbed items that were most accessible.

The stolen collection features works by late artist and metalsmith Florence Resnikoff, including precious neckpieces, a pair of scrimshaw tusks, and various memorabilia from the 20th century such as campaign pins and athletic awards.

John Romero, a retired police captain, voiced concerns that these items might already be circulating on resale platforms such as Craigslist and eBay. He noted that those involved in such activities often look for quick cash rather than the full value of the pieces.

The museum, known for its dedication to documenting California's art, history, and natural environment, has held exhibitions related to issues like the Black Power movement, emphasizing the cultural significance of its collection.

Fogarty hopes the passionate community can come together once again to support the recovery efforts. The museum had a similar incident in 2013 when a historic jewelry box was stolen but was recovered with the help of public tips.

The Oakland Police have not released many details but are collaborating with the FBI's art crime unit to further investigate the incident. They are asking the community to reach out if they have any leads or information that could assist in recovering the stolen artifacts.

Anyone with information can contact the Oakland Police Department or submit tips to the FBI's Art Crime Team. These items, beyond their monetary value, are part of a shared cultural legacy that reflects the diverse heritage of Oakland and its communities.