'Completely Psychotic': Burglars Set Oakland Deli's Menu Board on Fire During Break-In

OAKLAND, CA — A senseless act of vandalism and burglary has left an Oakland deli owner reeling after suspects breached the business and deliberately set the shop's menu board on fire.

The incident occurred early on March 1, 2024, during a break-in at the local establishment. According to the owner, who described the perpetrators' behavior as "completely psychotic," the burglars forced their way inside to steal cash and goods. In a bizarre turn of events before fleeing, the suspects ignited the main menu board, generating heavy smoke and leaving behind charred debris.

Fortunately, the fire did not spread to the building's main structural components or the kitchen line, but it caused extensive smoke damage and required immediate remediation. The senseless nature of the arson has amplified frustrations among Oakland's small business community, which is already grappling with a rise in commercial burglaries. The Oakland Police Department and fire investigators are treating the case as a combined commercial burglary and arson, analyzing surveillance tapes to track down the suspects.