Full Notification

For Immediate Release
March 16, 2023

Residential Burglars Disguised as Delivery Drivers

The Oakland Police Department (OPD) has seen an uptick in residential burglaries where the individuals involved are disguised as Amazon workers.

In several of the cases, individuals wearing Amazon delivery driver vests approach a residence and ring the doorbell to determine if the residence is occupied or not. The individuals then force entry into the residence, take several items, then flee the area in a vehicle.

OPD is actively investigating each of these burglaries. If you are a victim or have information regarding any of these incidents, please call 510-238-3951.

To reduce the risk of our community members from becoming a victim of crime, OPD hopes you consider the following safety tips and recommendations:

• Make your home look occupied, and make it difficult to break in.

• Lock all outside doors and windows before you leave.

• Leave lights on when you go out or connect some lamps to automatic timers during the evening.

• Do not allow deliveries, mail, newspapers, or flyers to build up while you are away. Arrange with the Post Office to hold your mail or arrange for a friend or neighbor to take them regularly.

• If you can, invest in a doorbell camera with a two-way talk feature.

• Call the OPD non-emergency number at (510)777-3333, to report suspicious persons.

OPD’s COMMITMENT:

OPD Commanders have begun deploying additional officers to areas of the city that have experienced an increase in residential burglaries.

Working together, we can reduce violence in Oakland.