Bold break-in at Oakland auto body shop caught on camera

Thieves stole two cars, tools, and equipment worth over $20,000 from Karkachas Auto Repair

Apr. 8, 2026 at 4:09pm

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Surveillance footage captured two masked men breaking into an Oakland auto body shop late at night, rummaging through the shop for over an hour before stealing two cars belonging to the owner's wife and son, as well as over $20,000 worth of tools and equipment. The owner, Eric Guzman, has run the shop for 32 years and says this type of crime is unusual for the neighborhood, though police report similar break-ins nearby.

Why it matters

The brazen break-in at Karkachas Auto Repair highlights the ongoing challenges small businesses face with property crime, especially in urban areas like Oakland that have seen an uptick in burglaries and thefts in recent years. The incident also raises questions about the effectiveness of security measures and police response in deterring and solving these types of crimes.

The details

The surveillance footage shows two masked individuals spending over an hour inside the auto body shop, methodically selecting items to steal. They ultimately took two cars belonging to Guzman's wife and son, using one of the stolen vehicles to ram through the garage door and make their escape. In addition to the cars, the thieves stole over $20,000 worth of tools, equipment, and other items from the shop.

  • The break-in occurred late at night in late March 2026.
  • Guzman discovered the theft the following morning.

The players

Eric Guzman

The owner of Karkachas Auto Repair, a 32-year-old auto body shop in Oakland.

Oakland Police Department

The local law enforcement agency investigating the break-in and other recent property crimes in the area.

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What they’re saying

“'They took my scanner, my tools. I'd say more than $20,000, and the cars.'”

— Eric Guzman, Owner, Karkachas Auto Repair

What’s next

Oakland police are continuing to investigate the break-in and search for the suspects, as well as look into other recent property crimes in the area. Guzman is working to recover the stolen items and repair the damage to his shop.

The takeaway

This incident underscores the ongoing challenges small businesses face with property crime, even in neighborhoods that are typically low in crime. It highlights the need for improved security measures, better police response, and policy solutions to address the root causes of these types of brazen break-ins.