Smash-and-grab thieves target family headed to Oakland airport, steal their luggage

According to crime stats, there have been 223 reported larceny thefts in sight of the Starbucks on 98th so far this year.

J.R. Stone Image
Wednesday, June 29, 2022
Thieves target family headed to Oakland airport
Thieves target family headed to Oakland airportThieves break into family's car as they head to Oakland International Airport and steal all of their luggage.

OAKLAND, Calif. (KGO) -- A warning for travelers as we approach what could be one of the biggest travel weekends of the year going into the July 4th holiday.

Recently thieves in Oakland targeted those who stopped for coffee on their way to Oakland International Airport. Witnesses reported a "lookout" who then signaled to a nearby SUV full of men who raided a family's car right in front of them.

"Four people! All covered face! Then they broke the window and took all the baggage inside," said Hulya Yalcin.

Yalcin is describing what happened when she recently stopped at Starbucks with her sister and niece on 98th Avenue in Oakland before dropping the two off at Oakland International Airport a matter of blocks down the road.

VIDEO: Car break-ins on the rise across the Bay Area; how some are 'risking it all' to avoid it

With Bay Area car break-ins on the rise, people are going to great lengths to avoid having their windows smashed... Even leaving their trunks open.

Immediately a man, who she says, looked like he was going to try to wash their windows, ran up to the car. Yalcin says he then took a good look in their windows, turned around, and took a big sip of water.

ABC7 News Reporter J.R. Stone asked, "So you think after he looked in the car, saw that there were items in the car, that the signal he gave to this other car nearby was drinking this glass of water?" To which Yalcin replied, "Yes, yes!"

Seconds later an SUV pulled into the Starbucks lot, busted out the back window, and stole Yalcin's sister and niece's luggage as they stood there watching. The two didn't go in because of the warning signs posted outside of the Starbucks but it didn't matter. As the four drove off, Yalcin's sister called the police.

"They (police) didn't even show up," said Yalcin.

EXCLUSIVE: Oakland woman chases suspects who used drill to break into husband's gas tank

A suspect throws a hammer at a Bay Area woman's car after she catches them stealing gas from her husband's SUV. Then, the victim chases the suspects.

According to crime stats linked to the City of Oakland's website, there have been 223 reported larceny thefts in sight of the Starbucks on 98th so far this year. 29 reported in the last four weeks.

Yalcin wants to warn others who might be traveling this holiday weekend to be careful.

"The hardworking people are going on vacation and I don't want the vacation to turn into a nightmare like my sister," said Yalcin.

Now Streaming 24/7 Click Here

If you're on the ABC7 News app, click here to watch live

Copyright © 2024 KGO-TV. All Rights Reserved.