Thieves Armed with Golf Club Rob Colonial Donuts in Oakland for Fourth Time in a Year

A beloved, family-owned institution in Oakland has once again fallen victim to commercial theft. Colonial Donuts, located on Lakeshore Avenue, was hit by an armed robbery for the fourth time in less than a year, sparking renewed outcry from the local community and business advocates.

The incident took place just before 6:00 a.m. on March 1, 2024. Surveillance footage from inside the shop captured three individuals wearing hoodies entering the establishment. In a striking detail, one of the suspects was brandishing a golf club. The thieves quickly moved behind the counter, making off with the shop’s cash register and a computer before fleeing the scene.

Colonial Donuts has been family-owned and operated since 1989. The consecutive robberies over the past year have put an immense strain on the owners. Despite installing security cameras and taking other safety precautions, the recurring thefts highlight the vulnerability of 24-hour and early-morning local businesses in the city.

Following the robbery, community members have rallied to support the long-standing shop, emphasizing its role as a neighborhood anchor. However, the incident highlights ongoing challenges for business owners along the Lakeshore Avenue retail corridor, who continue to voice concerns over the frequency of retail crime and the need for more proactive police patrols.