Power tools a target for robbers, Oakland police say

LONDON, UNITED KINGDOM – SEPTEMBER 05: A mechanic’s toolbox in the Mechanical Workshop of the Barclays Cycle Hire’s Penton Street Depot on September 5, 2013 in London, England. Since the scheme’s launch in 2010 over 22 million bikes have been hired from docking stations across the capital. The Mayor of London has approved plans for the Barclays Cycle Hire scheme to be extended to South West London, which is set to launch in late 2013. The scheme’s expansion will provide more than 2,000 new bicycles and around 5,000 additional docking points. (Photo by Oli Scarff/Getty Images)

by: John Ferrannini

Posted: Oct 21, 2022 / 04:06 PM PDT

Updated: Oct 21, 2022 / 04:06 PM PDT

OAKLAND, Calif. (KRON) – Oakland police are warning the community that they are “seeing an uptick in robberies, thefts, and burglaries of power tools citywide,” according to a press release.

“Many of these incidents happened in the Oakland Hills when two to four armed individuals confront the victim, take their property, and leave the area in an awaiting vehicle,” the press release continued.

The crimes tend to happen between 9 a.m. and 2 p.m.

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Police want any victims to call 510-238-3426. They are issuing the following recommendations:

Stay aware of your surroundings
“Be particularly aware” when using, loading or unloading tools from your work truck
Keep your doors locked and your windows closed when leaving your truck
Engrave your name or your company’s name on work tools, as well as a phone number
Remove batteries from your tools
Lock up your tools “with harden-steel security chains and high-quality padlocks.”
Add GPS trackers to the tools
Don’t leave tools in plain view in the bed of a truck or the back seat of a car.