Defund Police Mayor’s Car Has Been Stolen From City Hall

A suspect camped inside Oakland City Hall for days before breaking into Mayor Barbara Lee’s office and stealing her security detail’s SUV, exposing shocking security failures at the heart of city government during a holiday weekend.

Story Snapshot

Intruder hid inside City Hall from February 13-17, evading a $35 million annual security contract
Logan Tell DeSilva, 29, arrested after stealing keys from mayor’s third-floor office and driving off with city-owned Ford Expedition
Vehicle recovered in Vallejo; suspect faces burglary, auto theft, and vandalism charges
City Council demands security overhaul as incident exposes vulnerabilities in government building protection

Security Breach Exposes City Hall Vulnerabilities

Logan Tell DeSilva entered Oakland City Hall during regular business hours on Friday, February 13, 2026, and managed to hide on the 11th floor in the City Attorney’s offices. The suspect remained undetected throughout the entire Presidents Day weekend while the building sat largely empty due to the holiday closure. On Monday, February 17, DeSilva broke into Mayor Barbara Lee’s third-floor office, stole keys to a gray Ford Expedition used by her security detail, and drove the vehicle out of the city garage without needing a key fob to exit.

Suspect Arrested After Multi-Day Investigation

Oakland Police recovered the stolen SUV in Vallejo on Tuesday, February 18, just one day after the theft. Officers arrested DeSilva on Thursday, February 19, on suspicion of burglary, auto theft, and vandalism. Video footage from City Hall cameras proved crucial in identifying the suspect, capturing his initial entry on Friday and tracking his movements throughout the building. The police union confirmed that DeSilva jimmied the lock on the mayor’s office door to gain access to the vehicle keys stored inside.

Costly Security Contract Under Fire

Oakland pays ABC Security Services $35 million annually to guard city facilities, yet the contractor failed to detect an intruder camping inside City Hall for multiple days. The building lacks 24/7 security guards, relying instead on cameras and occasional patrols. Remote work trends have left upper floors largely vacant, creating additional blind spots for potential intruders. City Councilmember Ken Houston demanded immediate changes, stating “We got lucky this time” and warning against waiting for a more violent incident. Houston called for either replacing the security firm or deploying actual law enforcement officers at City Hall.

Crime Epidemic Hits Home for City Leadership

Oakland continues struggling with persistent crime challenges, including rampant auto theft that has plagued residents for years. The police union used the incident to highlight how “no one is immune from crime” in the city, even the mayor herself. Mayor Lee released a statement emphasizing that “no one in Oakland should have to worry about their car being stolen” and declared public safety remains a priority. The irony of a mayor’s vehicle being stolen from inside City Hall underscores the severity of Oakland’s crime crisis and the limitations of current security measures.

The investigation remains active as authorities examine how DeSilva entered the building and whether he used an access card or exploited other security weaknesses. This incident spotlights the real-world consequences of inadequate security and underfunded law enforcement in cities struggling with crime waves. For Oakland residents who face vehicle theft daily, seeing their mayor victimized by the same crime epidemic demonstrates that failed policies and weak security affect everyone, regardless of position or political power.