Photographer's $35,000 Gear Stolen in Oakland, Wedding Photos Lost
On October 7, in Oakland, California, a masked burglar broke the windows of a rented Kia Sportage, making off with $35,000 worth of camera gear and irreplaceable wedding photos belonging to photographer David Martin Jr. He had come to the East Bay to attend his friend Jenna's wedding. After a stop at Swan's Market around 11:30 A.M., he saw his equipment—including a drone, lights, and hard drive—being stolen. Martin conveyed the unfortunate news to Jenna and Nick, lamenting the loss of the wedding memories. The couple expressed hope that the thief would return the photos, urging, "Just be a good human being." Martin's family has initiated a GoFundMe campaign to replace his gear, vowing to reimburse the couple if the photos cannot be retrieved.
Key facts
- David Martin Jr. traveled from Southern California to the East Bay area of San Francisco to photograph his friend Jenna's wedding to Nick.
- Martin parked a rented Kia Sportage at the corner of 10th and Washington Streets in Old Oakland at approximately 11:30 A.M. on October 7.
- A masked man broke into the SUV while Martin was at Swan's Market getting food, stealing camera, lights, a drone, computer, hard drive, and other gear.
- The stolen equipment was valued at $35,000.
- Witnesses reported seeing the masked man break into the vehicle.
- Martin had been photographing a building elsewhere in the city before the break-in and believes he may have been followed.
- Martin told KTVU Fox 2 that the gear could be replaced but Jenna and Nick's photos could not.
- Martin's family set up a GoFundMe for his camera gear, stating he will refund the couple if the photos are not recovered.
Entities
Artists
- David Martin Jr.
- Jenna
- Nick
Institutions
- KTVU Fox 2
- GoFundMe
- Swan's Market
Locations
- Oakland
- California
- East Bay
- San Francisco
- Southern California
- Old Oakland
- 10th and Washington Streets