Oakland Mayor Barbara Lee's City-Owned SUV Stolen After Break-In at Oakland City Hall

OAKLAND, Calif. - A city-owned SUV assigned for use by Oakland Mayor Barbara Lee was stolen this week following a break-in at her office in City Hall, authorities confirmed on February 18, 2026.

The incident occurred on Monday, February 16, 2026 - Presidents' Day, when city offices were closed for the holiday. According to preliminary reports from the Oakland Police Department (OPD) and sources familiar with the investigation, an unidentified individual tampered with the door to Mayor Lee's office, gained entry, and took the keys to the black SUV.

The vehicle, which is used primarily by the mayor's security detail to transport her, was taken from a nearby garage or area associated with City Hall. Oakland police were notified of the theft on Tuesday, February 17, 2026.

The SUV was recovered within hours in Vallejo, California, a city approximately 25 miles north of Oakland. OPD has identified a suspect in the case and obtained an arrest warrant, though no arrest had been made as of Wednesday afternoon.

The department described the matter as an ongoing investigation into the theft of a city-owned vehicle from City Hall.

The Oakland Police Officers Association highlighted the incident as indicative of broader crime concerns in the city. Oakland has long ranked among the highest in the U.S. for motor vehicle thefts, with FBI data showing 9,914 reported cases in 2024 - significantly above the national average.

Mayor Lee's office confirmed the theft of the vehicle but has released limited additional details. Police officials have not disclosed further information about how the suspect accessed the building or office, or whether security footage or other evidence played a role in identifying the suspect.