Oakland Mayor Barbara Lee, whose city is facing a huge crime wave, was recently robbed inside of the confines of city hall, according to police.
The Oakland Police Officers’ Association (OPOA) confirmed that someone had tampered with the door to Lee’s office and stole the keys to the city-owned car, according to Oakland affiliate KRON 4.
Exclusive | Oakland mayor has car was stolen from City Hall office https://t.co/fni1CX1XZS pic.twitter.com/1O9gg6ijfS
— California Post (@californiapost) February 18, 2026
The government vehicle was allegedly stolen from a garage close to City Hall and recovered in the nearby city of Vallejo, California a day after the incident occurred, Oakland’s KTVU Fox 2 reported.
“The Oakland Police Department is investigating the theft of a city-owned vehicle. On February 17, 2026, OPD was notified that the vehicle was stolen from Oakland City Hall,” an Oakland Police Department (OPD) spokesperson said.
“The vehicle was recovered within hours. OPD is following up on potential leads.”
Sources said police have determined a suspect and secured a warrant for their arrest. No suspects have been taken into custody as of publication.
Oakland has some of the highest rates of motor vehicle theft in the country, with 10,439 motor vehicle theft crimes in 2024, a drop from 15,391 in 2023, according to the Oakland Police Department.
PFM Group Consulting cited a severe police staffing shortage of 277 officers in Oakland in a draft study obtained by The Oaklandside in April 2025.