The Oakland Police Department, in collaboration with the FBI, is reaching out to the public for assistance in identifying two individuals captured on surveillance footage during a museum heist. This incident resulted in the theft of more than 1,000 historical artifacts.
This brazen theft took place at approximately 3 a.m. on October 15, at an off-site storage facility managed by the Oakland Museum of California, as confirmed by officials.
The museum has issued a statement indicating that preliminary investigations suggest this was likely “a crime of opportunity” rather than a premeditated theft. The statement emphasized that the culprits did not seem to specifically target the facility for its museum pieces or seek out particular artworks or artifacts. Instead, they appeared to have taken what was most readily accessible.
Authorities are actively pursuing leads on two suspects linked to this overnight heist on October 15, 2025. The Oakland Museum of California’s statement and the accompanying surveillance images are crucial to this ongoing investigation.
In an update provided on October 31, museum officials disclosed that the stolen items include a variety of historic memorabilia. Among these were political pins, souvenir tokens, award ribbons, and several items of Native American origin. The loss of these irreplaceable pieces is a significant blow to the preservation of cultural history.
In an Oct. 31 update, museum officials revealed that some of the items stolen consisted of historic memorabilia, including political pins, souvenir tokens and award ribbons – along with several Native American items.
One of the suspects has been described by authorities as having a thin build, wearing a plaid long-sleeve shirt, black hoodie, blue jeans and black shoes, according to KTVU. (Oakland Museum of California)
“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,” the statement said.
Surveillance video shows two masked men entering through an interior hallway of the storage facility before exiting into an outdoor area enclosed by a metal fence.
One of the suspects has been described by authorities as having a thin build, wearing a plaid long-sleeve shirt, black hoodie, blue jeans and black shoes, according to KTVU. The second suspect reportedly has a heavy build, and was wearing a blue sweatshirt, blue pants, black gloves and white shoes.
The suspects allegedly stole more than 1,000 historical artifacts from the museum, in what officials are calling a “crime of opportunity.” (Oakland Museum of California)
Across the country, 19-year-old Joshua Vavrin was arrested in New York City after he allegedly hurled water at two priceless paintings at the Metropolitan Museum of Art on Monday, according to the New York Post.
Vavrin allegedly damaged the 16th century canvas piece, “Madonna and Child with Saints” and the 19th-century oil-on-canvas painting, “Princesse de Broglie,” the outlet reported. He also allegedly ripped two tapestries off the wall, causing over $4,000 in damages.
The FBI, Oakland Museum of California, Metropolitan Museum of Art and NYPD did not immediately respond to Fox News Digital’s request for comment.
