Frustrated Oakland Business Owner Condemns 9-Hour Police Response Delay After Destructive Flash Mob Looting

OAKLAND, California — The owner of the Hegenberger Road 76 gas station that was devastated by a flash mob looting has publicly criticized the Oakland Police Department, detailing a staggering nine-hour delay between his initial emergency calls and the arrival of responding officers. Sam Mardaie expressed deep frustration over the lack of police presence, stating that the slow response highlights a systemic failure to protect local businesses.

The Long Wait for Law Enforcement

The ransacking occurred around 4:30 AM on July 5, 2024, when nearly 100 people invaded the store. Mardaie and his staff placed multiple calls to 911 as the chaotic scene unfolded. Despite the severity of the incident and the location's proximity to the San Francisco Bay Oakland International Airport, officers did not arrive on the scene until approximately 1:30 PM that afternoon—nine hours after the initial break-in. 'We are left completely on our own,' Mardaie said. 'We pay our taxes, we serve the community, but when we need help, nobody shows up.'

Oakland Police Department Response

In response to the criticism, representatives from the Oakland Police Department cited high call volumes and a shortage of available units during the holiday weekend as reasons for the delayed response. They stated that the incident was initially categorized based on the lack of active threat to life once the looters had dispersed, placing it lower in priority than other active emergency calls. However, business owners and community advocates argue that such delays send a message of impunity to criminal networks, further endangering an already struggling business community along the Hegenberger corridor.