Authorities in California are investigating the California museum heist that saw more than 1,000 historical artifacts stolen from the Oakland Museum of California’s off-site storage facility.
The incident happened just days before a similar high-profile theft at Paris’s Louvre Museum, where thieves made off with priceless Napoleonic jewels.
The burglary occurred in the early hours of October 15 and targeted items such as Native American baskets, metalwork jewelry, and memorabilia that reflect California’s cultural history, according to a statement from the Oakland Police Department on Wednesday.
Museum Director Lori Fogarty said Thursday that officials decided to go public in hopes that some of the missing pieces might show up at flea markets, pawn shops, or antique stores.
“They’re not just a loss to the museum,” she said. “They’re a loss to the public, to our community, and we’re hoping our community can help us bring them home.”
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Fogarty described the break-in as a “crime of opportunity,” explaining that the thieves likely entered the building, took easily accessible items, and fled quickly.
Among the stolen objects are neckpieces by the late metalsmith Florence Resnikoff, scrimshaw walrus tusks, and 20th-century memorabilia such as campaign pins and athletic trophies.
Retired Los Angeles Police Department captain John Romero told the Los Angeles Times that the stolen pieces may already have been sold. He said investigators are likely monitoring online marketplaces such as Craigslist and eBay.
“These people are interested in fast cash, not the full appraisal value,” Romero said.
The Oakland Police Department confirmed it is working with the Federal Bureau of Investigation’s Art Crime Team, which specializes in the theft and trafficking of cultural property.
Officials say the investigation into the California museum heist is ongoing, and they are urging anyone with information to come forward.