Authorities release video of Oakland museum burglary suspects

OAKLAND – Authorities on Monday released surveillance video and descriptions of two people wanted in connection with the theft of more than 1,000 items from an Oakland Museum of California storage site in mid-October.

One of the suspects is a male with a thin build, the Oakland Police Department said in a news release, adding that he was last seen wearing a black beanie, white face mask, plaid long-sleeved shirt, blue jeans and black shoes.

The second suspect has a heavy build and was last seen wearing a blue hooded sweatshirt with white lettering on the chest, blue pants, white shoes with black detailing, and black gloves, police said.

The theft happened just before 3:30 a.m. on Oct. 15. The stolen items are valued at more than $100,000 and include historic memorabilia, Native American baskets and jewelry.

Last week, museum officials said the theft was a crime of opportunity and not a targeted heist, with the suspects originally planning to steal copper wire from the storage site.

The police department is working with the FBI’s Art Crime Team to crack the case.

Anyone with information that may assist in identifying the suspects or recovering the stolen items can contact the police department’s burglary section at 510-238-3951 or the FBI at 800-CALL-FBI (222-5324); tips can also be submitted at tips.fbi.gov.