OAKLAND — The overnight theft of less than $50 worth of copper pipe led to tens of thousands of dollars’ worth of damage at the Oakland Coliseum DMV, the California Highway Patrol said Wednesday.
“Sometime last night, someone climbed on the roof of the DMV,” CHP Officer Matt Hamer said.
“This is still an open investigation, and we’re going through all of our resources to bring closure.”
Hamer estimated the damage, which was still being assessed, would force the office’s closure through at least next Monday.
The state DMV said flooding and roof damage was discovered when employees arrived at around 7:30 a.m., a DMV public affairs employee said.
Although driving tests are still being conducted at the Coliseum site, customers with previously scheduled appointments will be honored at the DMV’s Oakland-Claremont, Hayward, San Mateo, Walnut Creek or San Francisco field offices.
Sixteen employees at the Coliseum site were temporarily displaced, with seven to Oakland-Claremont, six to Hayward, two to Pleasanton and one to Fremont, DMV public affairs spokesman Jaime Garza said.
Anyone with information should call the CHP’s Oakland office at 510-450-3821.
Contact George Kelly at 408-859-5180.
