Brazen burglary spree targets Oakland Chinatown companies

OAKLAND — Oakland Chinatown companies are demanding additional police presence following a string of burglaries on Thursday morning.

Surveillance videos showed a group of folks breaking into at least seven companies, such as restaurants and a salon.

Most of the break-ins occurred on 1 block of 8th Street among Webster and Franklin Streets. Authorities think the identical burglars also broke into an insurance coverage workplace a block away on Harrison Street.

Surveillance footage shows a burglar pointing a gun as the group went into distinct rooms to appear for the money register inside Lounge Chinatown, a restaurant that opened in December.

“I really feel numb but I also really feel enraged,” stated Darlene Wong, social media manager at Lounge Chinatown.

Video from the restaurant’s surveillance camera showed there have been seven burglars and two distinct vehicles.

It took the thieves about 14 minutes to get inside Lounge Chinatown. They initially applied a bolt cutter, then a reciprocating saw and, ultimately, a hammer to break down the fence and front door.

Aside from taking cash, the burglars also took highly-priced alcohol from the restaurant’s bar.

Wong stated that, among the cash taken and the harm brought on by the burglars inside the organization, the organization lost roughly $36,000.

“It really is such a monetary setback,” Wong stated.

“They take almost everything, they are everywhere and they come all at as soon as, they come in groups,” stated Francis Lan, president of Oakland Chinatown Chamber of Commerce.

The Chinatown chamber held a neighborhood meeting and press conference Friday morning.

Fed-up organization owners stated that, although they appreciate the police presence in the course of the day, they also want patrols at evening.

Oakland police stated the burglars hit additional than 12 companies all through the city. Police added that they are stepping up patrols in Chinatown and the other impacted organization districts.

Wong hopes buyers will assistance Lounge Chinatown and that the restaurant can survive the burglary.

“Please assistance us,” Wong stated

There have been no arrests so far and police think the vehicles applied in the burglaries have been stolen.