Audacious Heist: Thieves Crawl Through HVAC to Steal Over 1,000 Historical Artifacts from Oakland Museum of California

OAKLAND, CA — The Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) and the Oakland Police Department are hunting for suspects behind an extraordinary heist at the Oakland Museum of California (OMCA), where thieves made off with over 1,000 historical artifacts and valuable artworks.

The highly coordinated heist took place in late October 2025, with initial reports emerging on October 29. Investigators revealed that the suspects executed a sophisticated entry plan by crawling through the museum's heating, ventilation, and air conditioning (HVAC) ductwork to bypass standard security checkpoints. Once inside the galleries, the thieves systematically targeted gold rush-era historical items, antique jewelry, and significant California art pieces, causing losses of immense historical and financial value.

On November 3, 2025, federal and local authorities released surveillance footage of two individuals moving through the museum corridors, seeking public assistance in identifying the suspects. The sheer volume of stolen pieces—exceeding 1,000 items—places the OMCA heist among the most significant museum burglaries in recent regional history, drawing comparisons to high-profile international art thefts. Authorities are warning art dealers, curators, and collectors worldwide to be on the lookout for the museum's cataloged historical assets.