1,000 Artifacts Stolen From California Museum in Theft

Four days before the infamous Louvre heist put museum security issues at the forefront worldwide, a significant theft occurred in California, taking more than 1,000 items from a Bay Area museum. Local authorities announced the theft on October 29, revealing that the Oakland Museum of California’s off-site storage facility was broken into on October 15. The stolen items include early 20th-century Native American cooking baskets, 19th-century engraved walrus tusks, and Florence Resnikoff necklaces. The FBI’s Art Crime Team, with approximately 20 investigators, is now involved in solving the case.

The museum contacted the tribe associated with some stolen objects and respected their wish for anonymity. Besides valuable artifacts, the theft included Californian memorabilia, daguerreotypes, laptops, political pins, award ribbons, and souvenir tokens. Museums rely on donations, and these items were part of California’s cultural heritage.

Oakland Museum of California’s executive director, Lori Fogarty, described the theft as a theft from the public of the state’s cultural legacy. Despite police efforts, there are no updates on the investigation or details on the suspects. The FBI continues to seek public assistance in the case.