The suspect who stole Oakland Mayor Barbara Lee’s $75,000 Ford Expedition had been living inside City Hall for several days before swiping the vehicle, sources tell the California Post.
Lee’s black SUV was reported missing on Tuesday but was recovered just hours later in nearby Vallejo, thanks to a tracking device. An insider revealed that the suspect had been “squatting” in the building since Friday and remained undetected, despite the presence of ABC Security Services, the city’s contracted security firm.
The suspect reportedly occupied offices on the 11th floor over the Presidents Day weekend. On Monday, they allegedly “jimmied” the door to Lee’s office and drove the SUV out using an unsecured parking lot entrance.
Police identified the alleged thief through security footage and made an arrest on Thursday. Photos obtained by the Post show the City Hall offices appearing nearly deserted, as many staff continue to work remotely. Small scratches were visible around Lee’s office lock, and a sign on the door reminded visitors to “please check in at the front desk.” A nearby elevator displayed an “out of order” notice.
Meanwhile, the mayor’s reserved parking spot in a side alley remained empty. It is unclear where the SUV is being held now. Lee said Wednesday: “No one in Oakland should have to worry about their car being stolen, whether they’re a resident, a city worker, or the Mayor. Public safety is a priority across our entire city.”
ABC Security Services, which holds a $35.3 million contract to patrol city government buildings, had its contract renewed in December. The firm has not been accused of wrongdoing, but questions remain about why the thief went undetected, especially amid concerns over the company’s past ties to a federal corruption probe involving former Mayor Sheng Thao and the lack of competitive bidding.
Lee’s SUV, purchased in 2023 under Thao, has previously been targeted by thieves. Last year, it was broken into in a garage behind City Hall, with repairs taking weeks, according to City Council President Kevin Jenkins. Jenkins told the San Francisco Chronicle: “We have to tighten up security around City Hall. A few council members have come to me with complaints about their sense of security in and around City Hall.”
Other city staff have also reported vehicle tampering and theft in the downtown Oakland area. Thao faced criticism for purchasing the expensive work SUV while receiving a $650 monthly personal vehicle allowance.
Oakland has one of the highest auto-theft rates in the country, according to FBI data, but only has 490 active police officers—far below the suggested 877 for a city of 440,000. Sam Singer, spokesperson for the Oakland Police Officers Association, said responses to auto thefts can take up to three days due to the staffing shortage. “If an Oakland resident reports a stolen car or home burglary, it can take up to three days for OPD officers to respond because of the shortage of officers. The mayor and city leadership is practically starving the police department of help. A regular resident can’t get or even dream of that level of service,” he said.
Lee declined further comment, and ABC Security Services also refused to comment when contacted by the Post.