Oakland police arrest man accused of stealing Mayor Lee's cityissued vehicle
Feb 19, 2026
Authorities said a 29-year-old man was taken into custody and accused of breaking into Oakland City Hall, squatting, and then stealing an SUV connected to Mayor Barbara Lee from the building’s secured garage.
Police sources say the suspect took the vehicle keys from inside the mayor’s office
, where there were signs of tampering at the door. Former San Jose Police Department Officer and Security Analyst Michael Leninger says the incident exposes major security flaws.
“The building itself all should have had state-of-the-art alarming. In other words, that person should never have gotten through the mayor’s office door without an alarm going off,” Leninger said.
According to sources, the suspect entered city hall sometime before Monday, stayed overnight undetected, and even reached the 11th floor, which requires keycard access. It’s unclear how long the suspect was inside the building.
Leninger says security cameras should be monitored 24/7 and that guards’ whereabouts should be digitally tracked to prevent gaps in coverage.
“What makes this especially concerning is that she could have walked into her office Monday morning and that suspect could have been hiding in there and security would have had no idea,” Leninger said.
The city contracts with ABC Security to secure all city owned facilities. Visitors at city hall are required to go through a metal detector. But Leninger explains security standards now call for higher-tech measures.
“Facial recognition, a sign-in, perhaps even photo ID. And believe they should have photo ID and they should tell you where they’re going,” Leninger said.
NBC Bay Area tried to reach out to ABC Security for comment Wednesday, but hasn’t heard back.
In an email to city employees, the city administrator’s office says they have begun an immediate review of security protocols, are working with OPD and external experts to immediate enhance security for city hall and all city facilities. Councilmember Noel Gallo says he feels increased police presence is needed.
“We need more police presence to make sure that people don’t just come to Oakland and take advantage of the city,” Gallo said. “For someone to go in the mayor’s office, take the keys, go to the garage that I can’t get to. And run off with the vehicle, you know, it doesn’t say a lot about the public safety that we have in place.”
...read more
read less